Wisconsin’s trip to Penn State brings a very different kind of stress test, and that’s exactly why it matters.
After opening the season as a massive underdog in Week 1, then handling two home “buy games,” the Badgers finally get a real read on where they stand. This is a Big Ten road game, and Penn State is also dealing with the absence of one of its best offensive weapons. For Wisconsin, that creates a chance to make a statement before conference play settles in.
A lot of this matchup, though, starts with Colton Joseph. The quarterback’s legs could be a major factor, especially with the way offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes can lean into his dual-threat ability.
Joseph is coming off his most balanced performance in a Wisconsin uniform, and that version of him gives the Badgers a real shot to keep this one tight. If the Badgers get the efficient Joseph they saw last week, this looks like a competitive game.
If the inconsistent version from Western Illinois shows up, Wisconsin could be in for a long afternoon.
That’s why one of the biggest questions is how often Joseph will be asked to run. His mobility has the potential to change the game, particularly if Wisconsin needs a spark. Grimes has had success with quarterbacks like this in similar defensive matchups before, and the Badgers may need to tap into that again here.
The injury report is another major piece of the puzzle. Wisconsin may need to be close to full strength to steal an upset on the road, and there are still questions around key names like running back Abu Sama, wide receiver Malachi Coleman, linebacker Mason Posa and offensive lineman Emerson Mandell. At this point, the Badgers’ available firepower remains uncertain.
There’s also the turnover battle to consider. Wisconsin forced three turnovers against Eastern Michigan, while Penn State has not given one away through three games.
If the Badgers are going to win, that margin may have to tilt their way. A big play on special teams could matter too.
The running game remains the other looming concern. Wisconsin is expected to have its most explosive back, Sama, back in action, but the challenge gets tougher against a stronger defensive line.
The Badgers are averaging 139.0 yards per game on the ground, and that number will have to come with a much better collective effort in conference play. Physicality and ball control are going to be central here.
Penn State also brings a cohesion edge into the matchup. A core chunk of its roster transferred from Iowa State, giving the Nittany Lions an experience playing together that Wisconsin is still trying to build. The Badgers have had to blend plenty of new pieces on both sides of the ball, and that difference could show up in a game like this.
In Other News...
Wisconsin Suddenly Has A Chance At A Recruiting Stunner Under Fickell
A major recruiting opening has quietly surfaced for Wisconsin, and it centers on five-star edge rusher Jalanie George. The top 2028 prospect has trimmed his list to Wisconsin, Washington, Auburn and Miami, and several recruiting analysts now view the Badgers as one of the strongest contenders after Georges recent visit and the connections he has built with current players and staff.
For a program trying to keep raising its ceiling under Luke Fickell, getting into that kind of conversation matters almost as much as the final decision. Nothing is settled yet, and the picture can still shift in a hurry, but Wisconsin has put itself in position for a result that would stand out even in a strong recruiting cycle. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Has A Left Tackle Concern At The Worst Time
Wisconsins offensive line has settled in well enough to give the offense a real chance to breathe, and that matters with league play approaching. Through the first three games, the group has looked more connected in pass protection and has kept the quarterback relatively clean, with just two sacks allowed, while several linemen have drawn praise for steady play and better cohesion.
The one uneasy spot has been on the edge, where PJ Wilkins has had a harder time holding up in pass protection and has surrendered multiple pressures. The staff has already acknowledged the issue, and if the problems continue, there is a backup option in Lucas Simmons-Johansson who could see more work, which makes left tackle a position worth watching closely at exactly the wrong time for the Badgers. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Suddenly Has A Real Shot At A Massive Recruiting Win
Wisconsins 2027 recruiting push has taken on real momentum, with the Badgers now sitting at 23 commitments and building a class that includes several of the states best prospects along with important adds from Arizona. For a program that has made in-state talent a priority while also looking beyond its borders for impact players, the group has started to look less like a promising haul and more like one that could reshape the conversation around the class.
The next big swing comes from Desert Edge High School edge rusher Jalanie George, a five-star talent whose decision is expected on October 1. Recruiting analysts have recently moved their projections toward Wisconsin over Washington, which is a notable shift for a prospect of that caliber and one the Badgers would gladly celebrate. Even with the class already growing, landing George would be the kind of headliner that changes how the rest of the country views what Wisconsin is building. [Read more 🡒]