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Penn State vs Wisconsin: Prediction roundtable

By Barry Leonard Jr.

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Tommy Stevens #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is congratulated after his touchdown run by Trace McSorley #9 and Irvin Charles #11 during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 5, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Iowa 41-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Tommy Stevens #2 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is congratulated after his touchdown run by Trace McSorley #9 and Irvin Charles #11 during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 5, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Iowa 41-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: A view from field level before the start of the game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 29, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: A view from field level before the start of the game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 29, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Dylan Burd, Contributor

I’ve predicted Penn State to win every game this year, and they’ve proved me wrong not one time, not two times, but three times. I really thought that a strong performance vs. Iowa would give them momentum to pull an upset in Michigan, but I was just about as wrong as you can be. I bring this up because that’s really a testament to how this season has gone for the Nittany Lions.

Just when you think they’re going to bounce back, they haven’t, and it’s became clear that this team just doesn’t have as much talent as the last two.

Fast forward to this week, where the Wisconsin Badgers come into Beaver Stadium also with a 6-3 record. Wisconsin has been horrendous this season, dropping games to BYU, Michigan, and Northwestern. This comes after they began the year as the fourth-ranked team in this country. This game went from what was a potential primetime top-10 matchup at the beginning of the year to a noon game where only one team is ranked (Penn State is ranked 20).

If Penn State was playing any other 6-3 team besides Wisconsin, I’d be genuinely concerned, but Wisconsin’s problems may be bigger than Penn State’s.

Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook is questionable for the game, and if he can’t play, backup quarterback Jack Coan will get the start. Coan only has 222 yards and two touchdowns in two starts for the Badgers. Even if Hornibrook can play, he hasn’t been good this year either as he has had 1343 yards and 11 touchdowns in eight games. He’s also thrown eight interceptions.

You could also look at Penn State’s quarterback situation, and say it could be a major problem, as Trace McSorley looked injured in last week’s game vs. Michigan. In addition, the Nittany Lions’ rushing defense has been pretty terrible all year as they allowed over 250 rushing yards to Michigan last week. Wisconsin thrives running the football with an amazing offensive line that features multiple NFL prospects, and the nation’s leading rusher with 1363 yards and 11 touchdowns, Johnathan Taylor. In a cold weather game, rushing the ball is going to be a huge factor.

Overall, I just think that no matter how good Jonathan Taylor is, Wisconsin isn’t going to be able to win this game with the quarterbacks they have. Penn State’s offense has had their struggles this season, but I still expect them to be able to score into the high 20s or low 30s. Wisconsin’s defense is not Michigan’s. Without a solid quarterback, Wisconsin won’t be able to score enough points to win the football game. Still expect a close battle for most of the way though, as I think Wisconsin does enough to cover the nine point spread.

Penn State: 31
Wisconsin: 24

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