Penn State vs. Wisconsin: Prediction Roundtable

What will the outcome for Penn State be in the Big Ten Championship game?

Penn State gets a chance to continue its magical season this week with a trip to Indianapolis to take on the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship. The Nittany Lions enter as one of the hottest teams in the country, having won its last eight games.

This matchup pits Penn State’s high-powered passing attack against Wisconsin’s top secondary.

A lot will be on the line when the game kicks of Saturday night. The eventual Big Ten champion could have a punched ticket into the College Football Playoff.

Anything can happen when the action on the field starts, especially this season. How will things turn out Saturday night? Check out the famous Victory Bell Rings staff predictions.

Site Expert Barry Leonard Jr. 

The fact that Penn State is even in this game is unbelievable. Whatever the outcome, it’s better than most expected heading into this season.

Penn State has a ton of momentum heading into this one after closing the regular season with eight wins. The Nittany Lions have a very potent offense, led by Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley. Wisconsin is one of the better defenses that the Nittany Lions have faced in recent weeks.

Saquon Barkley is a bit beat up heading into this week, and the offensive line is still trying to rebound from some major injuries. Still, the Nittany Lions should be able to move the ball down the field.

On defense, Penn State has greatly improved. The unit will have to play tough this week against Corey Clement, one of the top running backs in the conference. Fortunately, the Wisconsin passing attack has struggled, so the Nittany Lions can key on Clement.

Starting slow has been a problem for the Nittany Lions, and I’m expecting that to happen again this week. However, in the end, James Franklin will have his team fired up and ready to show the nation they belong on the big stage.

Penn State 34
Wisconsin 14

Contributor Marty Leap

On Saturday night the Penn State Nittany Lions will do battle with the Wisconsin Badgers for the Big Ten Championship. Like so many other football games, this one will be decided in the trenches. So a lot of pressure will be on the offensive and defensive lines of Penn State.

Right now, the Nittany Lions are as hot as any team in the country. Penn State has a huge advantage on the perimeter on offense. Combine that with Saquon Barkley not being 100 percent, and it is important that Trace McSorley and the Nittany Lion wide receivers make plays on Saturday night.

Wisconsin’s offense is led by running back Corey Clement. The Badgers also have an excellent offensive line. There is a lot of pressure on Penn State’s defensive line to control the line of scrimmage and the linebackers to help control Clement and the rushing attack. Luckily, the Wild Dogs have been playing excellent football this season.

A big story line in this game is the Wisconsin quarterback situation. The Badgers use two quarterbacks in Alex Hornibrook and Bart Houston. In my opinion, Hornibrook is the more talented of the two quarterbacks. However, he may not play due to a concussion.

I expect this to be a close, low-scoring game. Wisconsin has one of the best defenses in the Big Ten and have a running, clock control oriented offense. This is a very tough call, however, right now the Nittany Lions are playing far too well for me to pick against them. Trace McSorely leads a game-winning drive in the closing minutes to guide Penn State to their first Big Ten Championship since 2008.

Penn State 24
Wisconsin 21

Contributor Shane Lunnen

After a week of discussing playoff and bowl possibilities for the Big Ten’s top teams, it’s finally time to decide it on the field. The Nittany Lions and Badgers both enter the Big Ten Championship game with a lot of momentum, so this should be a good one.

Let’s start with when the Lions have the ball. First and foremost, it remains to be seen whether Saquon Barkley will play after he left the Michigan State game early due to an apparent ankle or foot injury. James Franklin is being quiet as usual on that front, but even if Barkley does play, how effective can he be? We might see more of the trio of Andre Robinson, Mark Allen and Miles Sanders in this one. Regardless of who is in the backfield for the Lions, it will be tough sledding against a Badger team ranked third in the nation against the run. Penn State’s offensive gameplan will rest on the arm of Trace McSorley and his ability to get his receivers the ball.

For Wisconsin on offense, they could be without their quarterback Alex Hornibrook, who left the Minnesota game with a head injury. Backup Bart Houston is more than capable of filling in, but the Badgers primarily love to run the ball down opponent’s throats. Running back Corey Clement is third in the conference in rushing yards with 1,140 and third in rushing touchdowns with 13. While Penn State’s defense is not as good as Wisconsin’s, they can hold their own and have shown as such during the current eight-game winning streak. Expect defensive coordinator Brent Pry to try to slow down the Badger rushing attack and force them to beat the Lions through the air.

This one is a real tough one to call and could go either way, as it’s a game of strength versus strength. It has been a fantastic season for Penn State no matter what happens, but I don’t think they are done quite yet. Wisconsin is a good team and will probably have a lead at the halftime break. Penn State will make the adjustments that they have done most of the season and squeak out a small victory. A
t the very least as Big Ten champ, Penn State will be Pasadena bound but depending on the outcome of other games, could end up in the College Football Playoff.

Penn State 31
Wisconsin 27

Contributor Corey Hunter

Wow! Penn State did it. They defeated Michigan State and won the Big Ten’s Eastern division – perhaps the deepest and best division in all of college football.

They have one more game to go, a date with Western division champion Wisconsin.

The Badgers present an interesting challenge for the Lions. They rank third in the conference in total defense and second in scoring defense. Their rush defense is the best in the conference. They have the ability to make Penn State one dimensional by limiting the big play of Saquon Barkley.

Where Wisconsin may show signs of weakness is at the quarterback position. Starter Alex Hornibrook is listed as questionable with a concussion. Senior Bart Houston has split time with Hornibrook. He has a strong arm and can move around the pocket perhaps better than Hornibrook.

In all, Wisconsin has played in the B1G title game the most of any team (four times in six years – including this year). Their ability to control emotions and make plays gives them the edge. Penn State has momentum and big play capabilities on their side. So, who wins?

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I have been fooled many times by this Penn State team, and I hope I am one more time. However, I think Wisconsin’s defense and ability to make a few more plays on offense will stymie the Nittany Lions on Saturday.

Wisconsin – 24
Penn State – 13