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Wisconsin Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2018

By Trevor Jossart

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Danny Davis III
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Danny Davis III /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after catching a 24 yard touchdown reception against the Washington Huskies during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after catching a 24 yard touchdown reception against the Washington Huskies during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Badgers and Nittany Lions have met just 18 times in their short history, with the most recent being a 38-31 comeback victory for Penn State in the 2016 Big Ten Championship game.

Penn State has now been on the short end of the stick two years in a row now when it comes to the College Football Playoff discussion. In 2016, the Nittany Lions were the first team left out of the playoff as they came in at No. 5 in the final ranking. In 2017, they floated around the top ten, but could never make a move upward due to their heartbreaking 39-38 loss at Ohio State earlier in the year- a defeat that gave the Buckeyes a leg up in any sort of discussion.

Wisconsin has not won at Penn State since 2003 and overall have not beaten the Nittany Lions since 2011. Penn State will be without star running back Saquon Barkley next year as he announced he will be entering the NFL draft this offseason. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, they do not need to rebuild, they just reload. Incoming is the top defensive end in the country in Micah Parsons and also the top receiver in the nation in Justin Shorter. Both are expected to make immediate contributions as the team fights to make their first ever CFP appearance.

If this game was in Madison it might be another story, but Happy Valley boasts as one of the best home field advantages in all of college sports. Penn State fans have proven to be even more electric than anyone thought was possible when it comes to big games, and if expectations hold out- this may be one of the biggest games of not only the conference slate, but the entire nation as well.

A high-flying game will likely be expected, but at home Penn State and their dynamic offense will be just enough to take down the Badgers in what could be a Big Ten title game preview.

Final Score: Wisconsin 27, Penn State 31 (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten)

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