Penn State Football: Nittany Lions look to prevent skid against Wisconsin

Penn State football hosts Wisconsin in a battle of teams in the midst of disappointing seasons. Which team will come out on top?

The last time Penn State and Wisconsin met it was for the 2016 Big Ten championship. The Nittany Lions topped the Badgers 38-31 in that meeting. This time around the stakes are much lower as both teams are experiencing disappointing seasons compared to preseason predictions.

Penn State is coming off a blowout loss in the Big House against Michigan, dropping them to 6-3 and looking for answers. Wisconsin is also sitting at 6-3 and still has a chance of winning the Big Ten West. However, the Badgers do not control their own destiny as a result from their loss to Northwestern.

While both teams had bigger goals coming into the season, the winner of this game should be in position for a better bowl game. Penn State has won three straight in the series with the last Badger win in State College occurring in 2003. The series is tied at nine wins a piece.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 10
Time: Noon ET
Location: State College, PA
Venue: Beaver Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN or FuboTV

Keys to Victory

The Badgers offense is fairly one dimensional. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook‘s season has been up and down. Hornibrook may not play due to injury so Jack Coan may get the start. The Badger offense literally runs through the legs of Jonathan Taylor. The Nittany Lions are having trouble stopping the run at times this season, so the Badgers offensive line absolutely needs to dominate up front and give Taylor room to work.

Wisconsin’s defense is not nearly as disruptive as it was a year ago and that’s how the Nittany Lions should take advantage. Trace McSorley has not been 100 percent since being injured in the Iowa game, but he is expected to start. Penn State should also mix in some of backup Tommy Stevens. The big key is for the Lion receivers to catch the ball, something they have struggled with this year.

Betting Odds

Courtesy of OddsShark

Point Spread: Penn State -9

Over/Under: 55

Prediction

Wisconsin can hurt Penn State with the ground game, but will it be enough? Probably not. The Lions will load up the box to stop the run and force whoever the Badger quarterback is to beat them. Penn State will probably continue to struggle at times to keep the chains moving, but they will capitalize on more of their opportunities this week going up against a weaker defense than Michigan’s. It will be a close, low scoring game but Penn State pulls out the victory at home.

Final Score: Penn State 23, Wisconsin 20