Go for the 2
“Tale Of The Tape”
Penn State:
Offense:
Nittany Lions are average 36 points per game and have a balanced attack rushing for 178 yards per game along with passing for 251 yards through the air per game this year.
Quarterback Trace McSorley has completed 56% of his passes for 2,976 yards with 21 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. McSorley threw 3 interceptions in his first four games, however, he rebounded and has been clean with the football ever since the end of September. From game four of the 2016 season, McSorley has thrown 16 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions in the last eight games. He is also a mobile quarterback that can utilize the read option and put pressure on the Badgers front seven. On the season, McSorley has rushed for 372 yards with 6 scores on the ground.
Running back Saquon Barkley leads the team with 1,219 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns and will be counted on to carry the load for the offense to open up the play action passing game for McSorley later in the game. Barkley was banged up in the win last Saturday against Michigan State and is probable for this battle in Indianapolis.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin leads the team with 47 receptions for 762 yards with 9 touchdowns. He will be counted on to test a Badger’s secondary that is giving up 191 yards per game.
Defense:
Penn State is giving up 22 points per game and is very solid in run support giving up 146 rushing yards per game. The Nittany Lions are allowing 200 passing yards per game and have recorded 37 sacks through 12 games this year.
The unit is +5 in turnover margin and has held opposing offenses to 32% on third down conversions this year.
Penn State has played well on the road this season and has recorded a 3-2 mark on the road or on a neutral field site in 2016.
Wisconsin:
The Badgers are averaging 28 points per game and are rushing for 201 yards per game on the ground this year along with passing for 179 yards per game in 2016.
Quarterback Bart Houston and Alex Hornibrook have split time this season and with Hornibrook getting injured last week (concussion) against Minnesota, look for Houston to possibly get the start for this game.
Hornibrook is listed as probable but with concussion protocol could still be held out of this game.
Hornibrook has completed 58% of his passes for 1,243 yards with 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Houston has completed 63% of his passes for 912 yards with 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Both quarterbacks are pocket passers and like to work off of play action when the running game has success early on in games.
Wisconsin has not passed as well as their season average this year (179) over the last five games and has thrown for 138 yards per game over the last five contests.
Running back Corey Clement leads the team with 1,140 yards averaging 4.2 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns. Clement is a big physical runner that has deceptive speed and likes to run downhill between the tackles.
Wide receiver Jazz Peavy leads the team with 39 receptions for 582 yards with 5 touchdowns. He is not afraid to work over the middle of the field and is more of a possession receiver than a legitimate deep threat that can take the top off the defense.
Defense:
The Badgers are yielding 13 points per game and are very solid in run support giving up 100 rushing yards per game along with 191 passing yards to opposing offenses. Over the last three games, the defense has recorded 11 interceptions and enters this game +9 in turnover margin.
Wisconsin has recorded 31 sacks this year and has held opposing offenses to 26% on their third down conversions.
The Badgers only two losses this year came at the hands of Michigan (14-7) and Ohio State in OT (30-23). Wisconsin is 5-1 on the road this year.
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