Chris Masse’s Wisconsin game breakdown
Chris Masse analyzes the matchups vs. Wisconsin
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OFFENSE
Penn State: I understand players can make huge improvements from one year to the next, but it still baffles me that James Franklin could not coax one catch from Koby Howard before being fired last fall. No one can argue that Rocco Becht is anything but a winner. His 29 wins are most by a FBS quarterback. Nice to see some big plays by the running game last week.
Wisconsin: Despite desire to go back to power running game roots, Wisconsin has a passing game ahead of that run. Badgers ran for paltry 67 yards on 31 carries against Notre Dame. Quarterback Colton Joseph has played well, topping 200 yards twice. Abu Sama III will try to stick it to his former coach after running for 732 yards for Campbell's Cyclones last year.
Advantage: Penn State
DEFENSE
Penn State: Schedule was easy but still an impressive run by a starting defense, which has allowed one touchdown thus far, that coming after the Temple game was decided. Lions allowing 201 yards per game, but still curious to see how they hold up against a smash-mouth Big Ten offense. Lions bringing the heat but still not getting many sacks.
Wisconsin: Pass rush was supposed to be fearsome, but Badgers have just three sacks in three games, two coming last week. CJ Carr sliced up that defense as well, so hard to get a read on where this unit is after two easy games since. There are a lot of moving parts, too, with only three starters back from last year. Wisconsin picked off its first two passes last week after emphasizing secondary in the portal.
Advantage: Penn State
SPECIAL TEAMS
Penn State: Zay Robinson is a difference-maker in the punt return game. He's electric. Ryan Barker has made four straight field goals since a rare miss against Temple, including last week's 48-yarder. Nathan Tiyce hasn't had a lot of work but a 41.6 yards per punt average in this day and age is not very good.
Wisconsin: Gavin Lahm was team's kickoff specialist in 2024, and has looked good in new role, going 5-for-5 on field goals with a 51-yarder. He did, though, miss an extra point. Punter Sean West has been among the Big Ten's best, dropping four of his seven kicks inside the 20 and averaging 45.4 yards. He had a 70-yarder against Notre Dame. Watch out for Nate Palmer and Carson Van Dinter in the return game.
Advantage: Penn State
COACHING/INTANGIBLES
Penn State: It would be shocking if Penn State did not enter Big Ten play undefeated, but it still was impressive how well it has jumped on teams early. Slow starts in the first three games a year ago were an omen of bad things to come. The question with defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn is not if he will get a head coaching gig but when and where?
Wisconsin: Luke Fickell has been unable to work the magic he did at Cincinnati, where he turned a dormant program into a Final 4 playoff team in 2021, earning national coach of the year honors. Wisconsin went downhill following a seven-win campaign in Fickell's first year. The wins have decreased from seven to five to four. The clock is ticking.
Advantage: Penn State
Prediction record: 3-0
Prediction: Temple is better than people think, but this is Penn State's first real test, especially since it's at a tough venue. Look for Wisconsin to keep it close throughout the first three quarters but for the defense to adjust, Becht to make some big plays and Lions to pull away. Penn State 31, Wisconsin 17