Alabama player says Tide has point to prove: ‘People this year really don’t think we’re the best’

Alabama came to Wisconsin with something to prove about the SEC and their own team.

Alabama players heard the outside noise this week about the environment in Camp Randall Stadium, and what might be different about making a rare road trip to a Big Ten city for Saturday’s game at Wisconsin.

The Tide left Madison with a 42-10 win and having left the mark of the SEC on the Badgers’ home field.

“We heard a lot on the Internet about coming to this stadium,” running back Jam Miller said. “We just have to come up and just show them what the SEC is about.”

That included embracing Wisconsin’s tradition of playing “Jump Around,” the 1992 song by House of Pain, at the start of the fourth quarter. Alabama players jumped on their own sideline when it played, celebrating a 35-10 lead at the time.

“We was ready to just shut that weak-ass jump song down,” wide receiver Germie Bernard said postgame.

But it’s clear the chip on Alabama’s shoulder was larger than the SEC vs. Big Ten. It’s showing the college football world that Alabama is still Alabama despite January’s retirement of Nick Saban.

“Even in previous history about Alabama, you know, Alabama was the best of the best,” Miller said. “People this year really don’t think we’re the best, since we got a new head coach, new OC. We just got to prove our point to people.”

Alabama entered Saturday’s game No. 4 in the country in both major polls and will host current No. 1 Georgia on Sept. 28 after both teams’ open date.

Mark Ingram speaks to Alabama before Wisconsin win, crashes post-game interview

The former Alabama running back and Heisman Trophy winner made another appearance before the 2024 team.

Former Alabama running back Mark Ingram spoke to the Tide on Friday night in Madison before Saturday’s 42-10 win over Wisconsin, his second speech to the team this season after he visited Tuscaloosa in August.

“He was just saying, giving us tips on what to do to become great in the game,” running back Jam Miller said.

Ingram was in town for Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show, and wore Alabama-themed shoes on set Saturday. When Ingram was leaving Camp Randall Stadium after the game, he walked past Miller’s postgame interview and stole the show.

“Jam! Yessir! Keep toting that tater my dog,” said Ingram, the 2009 winner of the Heisman Trophy. “My boy. Yessir. Hold it down for RBU. Jam Miller, in the flesh. Yessir!”

Miller ran nine times for 71 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Ingram earned a glowing review from coach Kalen DeBoer after addressing Tide players during fall camp.

“He did such a good job connecting with the team,” DeBoer said last month. “So Mark coming in — and just also pointing out what it took to get there, and helping our guys just realize that those things [didn’t] just happened because you come to Alabama. You have to make them happen. His message was amazing. He connected with our guys. It was a perfect and appropriate time. I really appreciate him coming onto campus and fun for me, too, to get a chance to spend some time with him.”