The Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) host the No. 3-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) on Saturday night in one of the marquee matchups of the Week 9 Big Ten schedule.
Penn State enters as the favorite and ranks significantly higher in every metric, including ESPN SP+ (No. 6 to No. 20) and FPI (No. 9 to No. 25). There is a reason that the Nittany Lions are ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll and seem poised to contend for a Big Ten title — the team is that good. That central reason is similar to why a Wisconsin win would be a significant upset.
Related: 10 keys to a Wisconsin Badgers victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions
The Badgers do have a lot going for them entering Saturday, however. The team is the winner of three straight by a combined margin of 117-16, the primetime atmosphere at Camp Randall Stadium should be fantastic and it gets Penn State the week before its big game against No. 4 Ohio State.
The on-field matchup does not favor Luke Fickell’s team, as Penn State is stout against the run on defense, can run the ball well on offense and has the personnel to control the line of scrimmage. But that is just the matchup on paper. As college football fans know, there is a reason the games must be played on the field.
As we count down the hours to kickoff, here are our full Badgers Wire staff predictions for Wisconsin’s big game against Penn State:
How to watch, listen to Wisconsin vs. Penn State
Oct 19, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell on the sidelines against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Here’s when you should tune in to see Wisconsin vs. Penn State:
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT
- TV Channel: NBC
- Stream: Peacock
How To Listen:
- Milwaukee: AM 920 and FM 97.3
- Madison: AM 1070 and FM 101.5
The games can also be heard on the Varsity Network App, Sirius XM channel 106/195 and statewide across the Badger Sports Network.
Nick’s Prediction
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) throws the ball during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Badgers will get a second chance to defeat a top-five-ranked team on Saturday. The team will be looking to ride momentum from its three-game winning streak to do so.
No. 3 Penn State was idle in Week 8. It enters having defeated USC 33-30 in OT on the road on Oct. 12. Wisconsin has not delivered a signature win at home in many years, and it’ll depend on their ability to run the football and stop the Nittany Lions passing game — the latter of which may be the largest challenge. The Badgers’ secondary hasn’t been tested often in 2024 and quarterback Drew Allar is as good as it gets at the position. It should be a good matchup at Camp Randall.
Prediction: Penn State 28, Wisconsin 24
Mike’s Prediction
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during the second quarter of their game Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Purdue 52-6. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Wisconsin enters its first big-time test since it fell to USC in Week 4. It also does so after a three-game winning streak that included outscoring opponents 117-16. Despite tossing just 11 touchdowns this season, Penn State QB Drew Allar has captained the Nittany Lions to a 6-0 mark. With a 21-7 home win over Illinois and 33-30 road win over USC, Penn State has also showcased its ability to win tight conference contests — both at home and on the road. While some Wisconsin fans believe this is a trap game, Penn State thinks otherwise and will showcase that on Saturday with a gritty performance.
Prediction: Penn State 21, Wisconsin 10
Ben’s Prediction
Sep 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA;Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell reacts against the Southern California Trojans in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Wisconsin is beating Penn State on Saturday. While the matchup slants towards the Nittany Lions, mostly due to their top-end ability to both run the football and stop the run, this is the spot for the first signature win of the Luke Fickell era. Keys to the Wisconsin win include QB Braedyn Locke taking care of the football, the Badgers continuing to play mistake-free defense and the Wisconsin defense forcing Penn State QB Drew Allar to win the game with his arm.
If all of that happens, the Camp Randall atmosphere plays a role and the Badgers get a few good bounces of the football, we’re talking about a program-defining victory.
Prediction: Wisconsin 26, Penn State 24
Game Day Links
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) carries the ball during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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