Badgers vs. Crimson Tide: Best, worst and most likely scenarios

The Don is here with a best-case, worst-case and most likely scenario for Saturday’s Big Noon Kickoff game against No. 4 Alabama, and I wanted to wait until Friday to finish reading it to see if a few more days would help me shake off the fears I had watching Wisconsin’s lackluster first two games against Western Michigan and South Dakota.

While this process hasn’t been smooth, I’m happy to report that I feel like I have a solid perspective on the Bama game and what it means for the Wisconsin Badgers and what it could look like.

So take a few big gulps of Spotted Cow and dig in. Because if you think the Badgers (+16.5) will pull off the upset (or at least come close), you’re definitely in the minority.

Best case: Although it seems less likely now than it did a few weeks ago, there is a scenario where Luke Fickell and his boys arrive pumped up and ready to party and take on Alabama.

The “how” part might go something like this: (1) Bama comes in overconfident and believes the pundits who are all predicting an easy win for them; (2) Wisconsin takes a leap forward from Week 1/2 and plays mostly error-free football, even making some big plays; (3) the crowd at Camp Randall carries an exhausted Wisconsin across the finish line in a historic 24-23 victory, where a late Nate Vakos field goal finally signals the arrival of the Fickellball and sends Madison into a frenzy of joy. Is that likely? Er, no. Is it possible? Yes.

Worst-case scenario: All the excitement that can be mustered at 11:00 a.m. at Camp Randall is quickly dashed when Bama jumps out to an early two-point lead. The Badgers simply have no answer on defense and the Tide rolls through them like a red-hot axe through quivering flesh.

It’s a long, disheartening day for Wisconsin, as they are outclassed in every phase of the game and suffer a 41-13 loss. They’ll have to put that to one side quickly, as next on the schedule is a disheartening rematch against a resurgent USC in the 2015 Holiday Bowl. There was a lot of drinking in Madison on Saturday night, and it’s not fun at all.

Most likely: Wisconsin is well prepared and has the right mindset to face this elite opponent, looking as good as it has all season (I know, that’s a low bar). But the Crimson Tide’s relentless talent, elite athletes and relentless physicality are too much for the Badgers, who end up suffering a 33-17 loss that’s “closer than it looks on the scoreboard” (and no, I don’t give a damn about stopping Bama from covering).

It won’t be easy to take a moral victory from this game, but many people said things would get worse and the Badgers showed clearly that better days are ahead. A rare loss that leaves the team (albeit still disappointed) in better shape.