2008 Penn State @ Wisconsin football preview
Penn State @ Wisconsin football preview
#6 Nittany Lions face Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium
BY THE NUMBERS: #6 Penn State Visits Wisconsin
Date: Saturday,
October 11th
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Camp Randall Stadium / Madison, WI
It must be October, because Penn State is heading to Camp Randall Stadium to play Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions visit the Badgers this weekend with a 6-0 record and a #6 ranking in the latest polls following a dominating 20-6 win against Purdue last weekend. Wisconsin, on the other hand, is reeling after back-to-back losses to Michigan and Ohio State and is in serious danger of starting the Big Ten season 0-3.
If the Badgers hope to pull the upset this Saturday night, they will need highly-touted RB P.J. Hill to have a successful game behind one of the nation’s biggest offensive lines. They will also need better play out of QB Alan Evridge, who has completed just 53.2 percent of his passes in his last two games and has thrown three interceptions.> Find a great selection of Penn State hats & merchandise online through Big Ten Fans as well as 2008 Penn State football tickets.
Remember, Penn State has scored just six total points in its last two trips to Wisconsin, so expect the Lions to be extra-motivated this weekend. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers:
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44.8 - Following a 20 point performance last week, Penn State still ranks 7 th in the nation with a scoring average of 44.8 points per game. Meanwhile, Wisconsin is averaging a respectable 28.8 points per game which ranks 49 th in the nation.
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256.7 - This weekend’s matchup will feature two of the top 20 rushing attacks in the country. Penn State is averaging an impressive 256.7 rushing yards per game, while Wisconsin isn’t far behind averaging 210.6 rushing yards per game.
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250.3 - Even with various suspensions and injuries, Penn State’s defense ranks among the best in the country, allowing only 250.3 total yards per game. They have been solid against both the run (80.2 ypg) and the pass (170.1 ypg) this year. Look for the Lions to force the Badgers to beat them through the air this weekend.
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6 - Penn State has committed only six turnovers through six games in 2008. Compare that to Wisconsin who has given the ball up 10 times through just five games. I expect the winner this weekend to be the team that protects the football the best.
Notes: Penn State has started conference play 3-0 just once since 2000... The Nittany Lions have won only once at Camp Randall Stadium since 1996... Coach Joe Paterno may coach from the press box again this weekend in search of his 379 th career win.
Prediction: Penn State 24 - Wisconsin 16
by
Chris Goodrich
BigTen-fans.com Penn State Correspondent
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