Game To Watch: #19 Penn State at #12 Wisconsin: September 4, 2021

Penn State and Wisconsin will kickoff their season in Madison on Saturday at 12:00 EST. Penn State got off to a tough start in 2020, but finished strong building momentum for the 2021 season. Meanwhile, Wisconsin started strong, but had an uneven finish and will look to regain their form this season. Both teams are contenders in the Big Ten this year and will look to start their season with a big conference win.

Recent History

Penn State and Wisconsin have faced one another 19 times with the Nittany Lions winning 10 of those games. Recently, Penn State has controlled the series with Wisconsin’s last win coming in 2011. Though Penn State has won the last 4 games, three of them were by one score and the last in 2018 was by 12 points. Expect another close game on Saturday.

Top 25 Players

What To Watch For…

Which Quarterback Will Step Up?

Saturday’s game will feature two quarterbacks who had their struggles last season, but have also shown they can play at a higher level. Sean Clifford averaged just 7.5 yards per attempt and had a 16 to 9 touchdown to interception ratio in 2020, but was much more efficient the year before. In 2019, he averaged 8.3 yards per attempt with a 23 to 7 touchdown to interception ratio. Clearly, Clifford is capable of better play than he showed in 2020 and a full spring practice and off-season will help him be at his best. On the other sideline, Graham Mertz only has one year as a starter under his belt. He was fantastic to open the season, with a nearly flawless performance against Illinois, but never regained that form after missing time with Covid. Mertz has a very high ceiling, but if he can get close to the level he was at to start 2020 will determine how well the Badgers offense performs Saturday. The quarterback is the most important player on the field and both players will need to be near their best to win on Saturday.

Can Penn State’s Revamped Defensive Line Stop Wisconsin’s Running Game?

Wisconsin is well known for it’s strong running game. The Badgers identity is to control the line of scrimmage and wear down the opposing defense, plowing forward for yards on the ground and setting up play action. The first step to stopping Wisconsin’s offense is to stymie the running attack. The Badgers have a strong offensive line and the talented Jalen Berger running behind them. Penn State will have to win at the line of scrimmage and contain Berger so he cannot get to the second level. The Nittany Lions defense includes several new starters next to defensive tackle PJ Mustipher. Penn State replaces both defensive ends who were drafted and Antonio Shelton who transferred to Florida. Temple transfer Arnold Ebikete will need to be a force at defensive end and Fred Hansard and Duke transfer Derrick Tangelo will have to play key snaps at tackle. The ability of the rebuilt defensive line to win at the point of attack will be key for Penn State’s chances of winning this game.

Will Penn State’s WR Duo Dominate?

Penn State’s offense will be led by the big play ability of it’s wide receivers. Jahan Dotson emerged as a go to threat in 2020 and is one of the best receivers in the country. He has the ability to win against good defensive backs and make game changing plays at any point. He is joined by second year receiver Parker Washington who accounted for 489 yards and 6 touchdowns as a true freshman. He balanced out the passing attack and provided another weapon for defenses to account for. The duo has the ability to take over the game and strike quickly for the Penn State offense. Wisconsin’s defense has been consistently among the best in the conference with Jim Leonhard as the defensive coordinator. The Badgers will create pressure with their odd front and strong group of linebackers to disrupt the passing game. Wisconsin’s secondary is physical and has experience returning, if they can contain the Penn State receivers and keep them from making game breaking plays the Badgers will be in good shape, but that’s easier said than done.

Prediction

Wisconsin and Penn State are two evenly matched teams who will fight it out on Saturday. Wisconsin is tough to stop completely if the quarterback play is solid, which it should be with Mertz in his second year. Penn State’s receivers are too talented for the offense not to hit some big plays, even against a good Wisconsin defense. In the end, Wisconsin’s steady approach will lead them to a tough win. Wisconsin 27 Penn State 24.

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James Franklin Practice image taken by NoahRiffe is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.