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Penn State vs. Wisconsin: 3 keys to victory vs. Wisconsin

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Penn State Nittany Lion players run onto the field prior to the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 39-24. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Penn State Nittany Lion players run onto the field prior to the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 39-24. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State Football will travel to Camp Randall Stadium this Saturday to take on the 12th ranked Wisconsin Badgers , set for a noon kick on Fox.

Alas, Penn State Football’s season opener is here.

After a 2020 all of us would like to forget, Penn State Football included, 2021 kicks off with an unusual week one conference game for the Nittany Lions, tasked with a trip to take on the no. 12 ranked Badgers.

This is as tough as it gets in Week 1, heading into a packed house for the first time a Big Ten game will be played with a full capacity crowd since 2019. Wisconsin is 26-4 at home over the last five seasons, with two seasons during that span where they went a perfect 7-0 at Camp Randall.

It is a tough ask of the Penn State Football offense to go on the road in a hostile environment in week 1 and click with a new coordinator, especially against a defense that ranked 1st in the Big Ten, and 5th in the nation last season. The Badgers return eight starters on defense so we will learn a lot about the Nittany Lions on Saturday.

If Penn State Football is going escape Madison with a win, let’s take a look at three key matchups that must go their way this weekend.

3. Penn State Football’s Secondary the best in the James Franklin era? 

Penn State Football might be trotting out their best secondary in the coach James Franklin’s tenure in Happy Valley, and Saturday could be a chance to prove it.

The Badgers are usually know for their strong rushing attack, but this may not be your father’s Wisconsin, with quarterback Graham Mertz back for his second year under center, this could be their best air attack since Russell Wilson. Penn State Football’s safety Jaquan Brisker made that same comparison this week, saying Mertz is the best quarterback the Badgers have had since Wilson.

With the return of Tariq Castro-Fields for a fifth year and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. with a year of starting experience under his belt, this group is deep. Look for South Carolina transfer Johnny Dixon and true freshman Kalen King to be the first corners to come off the sideline in a rotational capacity. Franklin said earlier this offseason King is maybe the most advanced freshman he’s ever had, so expectations are high for the youngster.

Last season the Nittany Lions’ secondary 199 passing yards per game, which ranked 24th in the country but those numbers are misleading as they were behind early in a lot of games and the opponents got conservative. Franklin announced this week Ji’Ayir Brown will start alongside Brisker at safety, but expect cornerback turned safety Keaton Ellis to play a part as well.

The Badgers were without their two top targets last season in Dany Davis and Kendric Pryor, but both of them look healthy and ready to go for this game. Last season Wisconsin ranked 108th in the nation passing yards per game with 181. Forcing the Badgers to be one dimensional and potentially forcing Metz into a mistake or two could go a long way to leaving town with a “W”.

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