J.J. Watt visited the Alabama football team but remains loyal to his alma mater.
In what is expected to be a tough away game, Alabama football heads to Madison, Wisconsin, on September 14 to face the Badgers. The last time these two teams clashed was nearly a decade ago, with the Crimson Tide claiming victory in 2015. Former Wisconsin star J.J. Watt recently visited the Alabama team to speak with the players, though he remains a dedicated Badgers alumnus.
“It was a pleasure. They were a very engaged and attentive group, and they asked some great questions,” Watt said of his visit. “I appreciate the invitation and wish you luck in every game except on September 14th!”
Alabama, ranked No. 5 in the AP Top 25, begins the 2024 season without their longtime head coach, Nick Saban, who led the team to nine SEC Championships and six National Championships since joining in 2007.
The post-Saban era may pose challenges for Alabama. Kalen DeBoer, who was Washington’s head coach for just two years, now leads the team. Despite this, Alabama is still expected to be the favorite against Wisconsin, which hasn’t won the Big Ten Championship since 2012.
J.J. Watt’s legacy with Wisconsin Football
The Watt era at Wisconsin includes three brothers, with Derek (2011-2015) and T.J. (2013-2016) joining J.J. in playing for the Badgers. From 2010 to 2012, Wisconsin claimed three consecutive conference titles under head coach Bret Bielema. While they’ve reached the conference championship game four times since, they haven’t been able to overcome Big Ten powerhouses like Michigan and Ohio State.
Despite these challenges, Wisconsin football hasn’t had a losing season since 2001. It would be a major surprise if the Badgers were to upset Alabama in Week 3 of the upcoming college football season.
The future of Alabama football under Kalen DeBoer
DeBoer guided the Washington Huskies to within six points of a 2023 College Football National Championship, narrowly losing 37-31 to Michigan in what was a remarkable season led by future NFL talents like Michael Penix Jr., Rome Odunze, Troy Fautanu, and Ja’Lynn Polk. Impressively, 10 Washington players were drafted. It seems only fitting that Alabama football has now entrusted DeBoer with the helm of its storied program.
Expectations are sky-high, and DeBoer will undoubtedly feel the pressure, as he should. Since the “Poll Era” began in 1936, no team has claimed more National Championships than Alabama’s 13. Since the College Football Playoff’s inception in 2014, Alabama has been selected by the committee in eight of the 10 years, securing the No. 1 seed five times.
A loss to Wisconsin early in DeBoer’s tenure would be a major setback and likely stir up a media storm. However, regardless of endorsements, Alabama football remains the overwhelming favorite.
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