Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson found his footing with a perfect throwing performance in Week 2.
Now Simpson and the No. 19 Crimson Tide aim to build off the biggest shutout win in school history when Alabama faces Wisconsin in nonconference play on Saturday afternoon at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Simpson completed all 17 of his passes and set a school record for consecutive completions to start a game as the Crimson Tide routed UL Monroe 73-0 last weekend. His performance leaves him two shy of the longest streak in program history: Mac Jones’ 19 straight completions in 2020 that began with eight to close out against Georgia and finished by hitting his first 11 passes versus Tennessee.
Simpson passed for 226 yards and three touchdowns against UL Monroe as Alabama (1-1) bettered a 66-0 victory over Cal in 1973 for largest shutout margin.
New Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was beaming over Simpson’s performance.
“I thought he was extremely decisive,” Grubb told reporters. “He was very dialed on his reads. He didn’t pass up open players. I thought he played great. I thought he was really, really into the game plan all week and I was really hopeful that he was gonna play very, very well.”
The Crimson Tide outgained the Warhawks 583-148 in the follow-up to a disappointing 31-17 loss to Florida State in Week 1.
Alabama star receiver Ryan Williams is still working his way through concussion protocol and his availability remains uncertain. He was injured in the fourth quarter of the Florida State game and sat out against UL Monroe.
Top running back Jam Miller (collarbone) missed both games, but he’s making a push to return against the Badgers.
“You can see that with Jam. He’s champing at the bit,” said Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer. “We’ve just got to make sure we’re making a smart decision. That will be left up to our training staff and our doctors and also how Jam feels. He’s making a lot of progress.”
Alabama clobbered Wisconsin 42-10 last season in Madison in the first of the two-game series.
The Badgers (2-0) have played two light foes this season, beating Miami (Ohio) 17-0 and routing Middle Tennessee 42-10 last week.
San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neill completed 23 of 27 passes for 283 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against Middle Tennessee while starting in place of injured quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.
Edwards sustained a sprained left knee in the victory over Miami (Ohio).
“I don’t know a whole lot,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said of Edwards’ status. “We’ll see as we continue to push forward in the week, but we’ll get obviously prepared either way.”
The Badgers will need a better defensive showing this time around as they struggled against former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe last season.
While the competition hasn’t been heavy, the defensive numbers are stellar through two games. Wisconsin ranks third nationally in total defense (169.0 yards per game) and tied for sixth in scoring defense (5.0 points per game). Standout safety Preston Zachman has a team-leading two interceptions.
Fickell maintains the Badgers are vastly improved from the squad that went 5-7 last season and ended the school’s bowl appearances streak at 22.
“I think we’re in a better place at every position,” Fickell said. “The depth of the offensive line is the one spot that continues to be an issue or stands out a little bit to you, but as a whole and as a team, I think where we are and the things that we’re doing, I think that’s where everything’s got to start.”
Wisconsin will be attempting to halt Alabama’s 13-game home winning streak.
