Alabama Crimson Tide Set To Face Wisconsin Badgers In Season Opener

Alabama had an almost-perfect season last year until the upsetting loss to Ohio State. With the fire of redemption running through their veins, the #3 Crimson Tide will try to start the season off with a bang against #20 Wisconsin.

Wisconsin and Alabama have only faced each other one other time and that was in 1928, with a 15-0 win for Wisconsin at home.

The Badgers are going to have a big challenge on offense going up against the strong front seven for Bama that is led by DE A'Shawn Robinson and LB Reggie Ragland. Wisconsin's RB Corey Clement will be taking over for Heisman finalist Melvin Gordon this season. Clement has seven 100+ yard games already including 105 yards during the big overtime victory in the 2014 Outback Bowl against Auburn. Clement had this to say during an interview with Bucky's 5th Quarter,

"I think my last year was kind of a tease as to showing what I can do. I felt as if I could have gotten as many carries as Melvin did last year, I think I could have gotten myself into a groove. I've been waiting and now it's time for me to shine."

Wisconsin will need an outstanding performance by Clement if they plan on keeping the game close.

Clement isn't the only running back that will be getting their chance to shine though. Alabama's Derrick Henry will also be stepping out as the Tide's starting running back. Before Henry even started his college football career, many said he would never make it as a running back in the SEC. However, last year alone he ran for 1,025 yards and 11 touchdowns on 147 carries as the backup to T.J. Yeldon. "I'm very excited just because of the tradition around here with the guys before me, just the way they perform and set the bar." said Henry. "I'm just excited to get my chance and get the season started. I'm just ready."

Kenyan Drake will also be back this season. He went down last year after a season-ending injury during the Ole Miss game. Drake will be taking over kick returning for Bama this year. "It's something I've wanted to do since coming here, but obviously we had a pretty seasoned veteran at kick return in Christion Jones before," said Drake who returned two kickoffs for touchdowns as a senior at Hillsgrove High School in Georgia. Drake will also be a backup to Derrick Henry and has also been practicing at the wide receiver spot. We may see him in a variety of roles this season.

The one uncertainty for Bama is still the quarterback. Nick Saban has yet to name a starter for the season opener. The three guys still up for the job are Jake Coker, Cooper Bateman, and Alec Morris. Coker is the only one out of the three who has thrown a pass at the collegiate level. He was the backup last year after losing the starting position to Blake Sims. Reports have said that we will probably see two of the three during the game.