PSU Preview: Wisconsin

Game 7



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Saturday, October 11th. 8 p.m. est. Camp Randall Stadium, Madison Wisconsin

Well, "season 2" officially begins for the 6th ranked Nittany Lions (6-0, 2-0) on Saturday night against the Wisconsin Badgers (4-2, 0-2). Why season 2? Because it is the next 6 games that will determine the ultimate fate of this year's PSU team. In fact, the next 3 games are enough to do it, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Saturday night's venue is Camp Randall Stadium, a place that has been unkind to Penn State, and a place where we have scored a total of 6 points in our last 2 trips there. Wisconsin is coming off of 2 heartbreaking losses. Two weeks ago they blew a 19 point lead at Michigan, and last week they allowed that prick Pryor to drive down the field and score the go-ahead score with one minute left. In each case, Wisconsin was on the losing end, which begs the question "Can they conceivably lose 3 games in a row?" We'll find out on Saturday night when a different, much better Penn State team comes to visit; a visit that begins Season 2.

What to watch for...

When PSU is on offense: Coming into the season Wisconsin's defense was billed as one of the finest in the Big Ten, if not the land. Things haven't turned out the way people thought they would. Wisconsin is currently 31st in total defense nationally, which is a far cry from what the expectations were for this team. So, what should PSU do? First, we can't afford to play conservative like we have in past road games, and like we did at times last week at Purdue. Wisconsin's defense had a ton of trouble stopping a mediocre spread offense like Ohio State, so they should have their hands full if we run our Spread HD. Secondly, Daryll Clark must not only manage the game, but also not be afraid to take a shot downfield, take off running, or make a play. We have all the tools on offense (ranked #9 natioally) to dominate a lack-luster Badger defense, the question is whether the gameplan allows it to happen.

When PSU is on defense: The Penn State defense is the 8th best and the country and there is no mistaking what its top priority is on Saturday. In simplest terms, we must stop the Badger running game, which ranks 20th in the country. Wisconsin boasts a load of a running back in PJ Hill, and a host of other capable guys who make their ground game formidable. The key seems to be to smack Hill around early and get him out of a groove because if he gets going, that's when he becomes a stronger runner. Look for PSU to load the box, give Wisconsin a variety of "looks", and force shaky QB Tyler Everidge to throw the ball; something he hasn't done successfully or consistently all season. The only other playmaker PSU must account for is TE Travis Beckum, who is big and fast, but was shut down last year in Beaver Stadium. Stopping the run must be our top priority, and I'm sure it will be.

When you see Bonnie in the kitchen holding a spatula: that fuckin' thing's gonna be dipped into some mayo very soon. Just wait.

Bottom line: Remembering our past failures at Camp Randall could prove to be a blessing on Saturday night. We have to remember all the times that we have tightened up while playing there, and not repeat that same mistake. Beyond that, however, we must remember that this year's Penn State football team is a much better version than those that have played in Madison in the recent past, especially on offense. Sure, we have to stop the Wisconsin ground game, but the key to victory is our offensive gameplan, or our coaches' willingness to run the full extent of our now-famous Spread HD. If we allow ourselves to run that type of offense, the one that we saw against Illinois, the one that involves big-time offensive playmakers, then this one won't be as tough as we think.

KNITS Pick...

PSU: 30

Wisconsin: 13

Game notes...

1. The Wisconsin band may not be attendance for this one. Sounds like they get suspended for their second game for hazing (read: giving out brown-noses).

2. The return of Jordan Norwood? Most likely, and that's a good thing. We're better when he's in there.

3. 2 weeks in a row...the Whites.

Let's Go State!!!