Joel Klatt details path for Wisconsin to beat Alabama

Wisconsin will be a two-score underdog when they kick off against No. 4 Alabama on Saturday. Still, Joel Klatt sees things with the Badgers that suggest that they could contend with, or even beat, the Crimson Tide.

Klatt assessed Wisconsin’s chances this weekend versus ‘Bama during an appearance on ‘The Herd’ on Wednesday. He does think they have a shot to with what they’ve build in Madison over just over a year or so under Luke Fickell.

CLICK HERE to go to PrizePicks and use code ON3 to receive a guaranteed $50 once you play $5 in lineups!

“Yeah,” said Klatt. “I think Wisconsin is better this year than they were a year ago. I think Luke Fickell has built something that is a bit underappreciated.”

“Now, whether they do that? It remains to be seen,” said Klatt.

Save $30 on your first month of Fubo by CLICKING HERE NOW! For a limited time, you can get your first month of Fubo for as low as $49.99. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Much of the conversation for them starts with the play of Tyler Van Dyke. Over his two games since transferring in, he has completed 60.3% of his passes for 406 yards and a touchdown. However, to beat Alabama, Wisconsin is going to need the player that he was in 2021 now in 2024.

“Tyler Van Dyke, their quarterback, is going to have to play like the young Tyler Van Dyke from Miami that everyone thought was a Heisman Trophy candidate. People thought that he was going to be highly-touted in terms of the draft,” said Klatt. “It hasn’t played out that way and he’s looking to regain that form.”

The Badgers also need to rely on their best side of the football for them over the past decade and a half in their defense. They’ve allowed just 13.5 points and 249 yards of offense while forcing 1.5 takeaways through their 2-0 start. They’ll need that in full, if not more, now in a matchup against a Top-10 offense that’s posting 52.5 points through their own open to the season.

“Their defense is pretty solid. It’s pretty solid. Their secondary is very good,” Klatt said. “Luke knows what he’s doing. They’re tough-minded.”

Finally, Wisconsin must take advantage of Alabama venturing that far north in their nonconference. Camp Randall will need to be jumping with a crowd that’s ready to see an upset.

“That’s a great environment. It’s a great environment,” said Klatt. “That’s a fanbase that understands football. They know what they’re rooting for.”

“I can’t wait to be there,” Klatt said.

So, Klatt is saying there’s a chance. He isn’t sure of how likely of one it is but, following last weekend in the sport, he’s not ruling out the Badgers on their home field against the Tide in the top-five.

“Here’s the thing – as we learned last week in college football? Hey, man, anybody can be beat on any given day,” Klatt said. “This would certainly not shock me if Wisconsin is playing a tight one.”