If Penn State is going to head into next week’s big home game without a loss on its record, it will certainly have earned it. Penn State is coming off a bye week after improving to 6-0 with a come-from-behind road win at USC two weeks ago. Now the Nittany Lions head back on the road to face Wisconsin in primetime on Saturday night in Madison.
It should be a rowdy atmosphere and Penn State will face a Wisconsin team that has dominated its last three opponents. But this is a Wisconsin team that lost on its home field to Alabama and has a loss to USC, in Los Angeles. Does that bode well for Penn State?
Here is how we are picking this week’s matchup between the Nittany Lions and Badgers.
Brad: Penn State is coming off a bye week where James Franklin has struggled a bit during his career, something that makes this matchup scary, especially since the Nittany Lions are welcoming in Ohio State next weekend. However, Wisconsin has not played a team with the caliber that Penn State has since seemingly turning their season around, so the Nittany Lions will get past this road test again and return for their huge showdown against the Buckeyes undefeated.
Penn State 28, Wisconsin 21
Charlie: Wisconsin will challenge Penn State and keep the game close. I think Drew Allar will make a few big plays when its needed and Braedyn Locke will falter. Locke has thrown an interception in all four of his starts and he’ll have to play a turnover free game for the Badgers to have a real chance at winning.
Penn State 28, Wisconsin 14
Shayne: Penn State should expect to be challenged by Wisconsin this week, but the talent gap will be hard to overcome for the Badgers. Their offensive line will help give them a chance to sustain drives, but it won’t be enough. Penn State wins a low-scoring affair.
Penn State 27, Wisconsin 17
Kevin: I am not expecting a ton of points to be scoreed in this one, and I think the explosive play opportunities are limited at best in this one. Wisconsin has found its groove in recent weeks and will try running the ball with some authority. It may work for a few scoring drives, but there is not enough in the Wisconsin offense to score enough to pull of the upset. Penn State will prove to have the tougher running game and will get enough key plays from receivers not named Tyler Warren.
Penn State 23, Wisconsin 16