When fans complain about a lack of interesting non-conference matchups, they certainly aren’t talking about this week’s season opener for No. 3 Alabama and No. 20 Wisconsin. The two programs, which have been frequent participants in BCS and playoff-level bowl games the last decade or so, will meet up Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

There will be bragging rights on the line for not only the teams, but also the Big Ten and SEC as this game figures to have significant implications down the road on strength of schedule ratings and College Football Playoff selections.

Both programs have been known for their powerful running games. Last year, Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon and Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon became just the latest star running backs from each program to go on to the NFL.

This time around the Badgers will feature Corey Clement while Derrick Henry steps into the feature role for the Crimson Tide. Each player rushed for more than 900 yards while sharing carries a year ago.

Wisconsin Alabama
Rushing yards per game 320.1 206.6
Rushing yards allowed 126.1 102.4

Both teams have questions at quarterback that could result in even heavier reliance in the running game.

Most Alabama fans felt confident coming out of spring that Jake Coker had emerged as the clear-cut favorite to win the starting job. Now it’s a three or four-man race between Coker, Cooper Bateman, Alec Morris and maybe or maybe not freshman Blake Barnett with a new leader seemingly emerging every few days.

The Badgers return senior Joel Stave, who has played in 31 games for Wisconsin, making him one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country. But Stave is coming off the worst season of his career with more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (9) last season.

So each team could feast on a steady diet of running plays, and even though that’s always been Wisconsin’s bread and butter, it could favor Alabama in this case. The Crimson Tide has the luxury of working senior Kenyan Drake into the mix along with top recruit Damien Harris.

After Clement, the Badgers have only unproven backups including Dare Ogunbowale, who had 193 yards on 37 carries last year. On top of that, they’ll be running behind an offensive line that has just two starters back and only one other player who has even played in a college game.

If first-year Badgers head coach Paul Chryst decides to give Stave a longer leash, there’s really only one target who figures to strike any kind of fear in the Alabama secondary. Alex Erickson, the only returning starter among the Wisconsin wide receivers and tight ends, caught 55 passes for 772 yards in 2014, but Bama’s athletic defensive backs should be able to limit what he can do.

So the key to Alabama getting out of Texas with a victory and College Football Playoff hopes unscarred looks to be stopping Clement. Of course the last time the Tide faced a top-notch running back out of the Big Ten, it allowed Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott to rush for 230 yards and two touchdowns.

Alabama will be working hard to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

WISCONSIN BADGERS CLOSER LOOK

Top returning player, offense: Corey Clement, Jr. RB — After rushing for 949 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014 while still handing most of the spotlight over the Heisman Trophy finalist Melvin Gordon, it’s Clement’s time to shine.

Top returning player, defense: Michael Caputo, Sr. S — Caputo is the heart and soul of the Badgers defense and the epitome of Wisconsin toughness. He led the Badgers with 106 tackles last year, including six for a loss. He also had an interception, broke up six passes and forced a pair of fumbles.

Top returning player, special teams: Rafael Gaglianone, So. K — Gaglianone made 19 of 22 field goals and 59 of 61 extra points. He also became the first Wisconsin freshman ever to hit two field goals longer than 50 yards.