Penn State Football wins if this happens … Wisconsin wins if that does

What it will take for Penn State Football to upset the Badgers, and Wisconsin’s biggest key to beating the Nittany Lions in mammoth Week 1 clash 

There is one simple key for both Penn State Football and Wisconsin to win Saturday’s Big Ten Conference opener, and we will look at those key’s in this week’s “We Win If, They Win If” column.

For more Badger matchup coverage, click here for the 3 Keys to Victory and Gameday Odds.

Let’s start with the visiting team, our pride and joy, the Nittany Lions.

Here’s the biggest key for Penn State Football, and the biggest key for Wisconsin

Penn State Football wins if — Nittany Lions RUSH for over 120 yards

Wait, what?

Penn State Football is supposed to have the passing advantage with third-year starter Sean Clifford, recently named a captain of the 2021 Nittany Lions. And Wisconsin is usually known for their stout offensive and defensive lines.

So, wouldn’t we expect a blue and white victory through the air, especially to potential first round pick at wide receiver, Jahan Dotson?

The Lions feature an incredibly dyamnic backfield, returining a lot of experience and carries from Noah Cain and Devyn Ford, transfer John Lovett from Baylor and youngsters Keyvone Lee and Caziah Holmes.

And we know Clifford can run with the football a bit as well (as long as he holds onto the pigskin).  But, there is weather in the forecast Saturday, with a 40% chance of rain and potentially 10 mph winds.

This could be the type of game where once you get a lead, running the ball for first downs and using clock is the recipe for success.

And, while Penn State Football head coach James Franklin has had a lot of success, one area of improvement needs to be holding onto late leads.

Therefore, Penn State wins if they rush for more than 120 yards … doesn’t matter how many running backs (or QB’s) it takes to get there, but that’s the magic number for the Lions!