Wisconsin’s trip to Penn State carries more weight than a typical Big Ten opener. The Badgers are heading into Happy Valley for a matchup that puts Luke Fickell under the spotlight, but the game also has a recruiting angle that could ripple far beyond Saturday.
Penn State is set to host more than 60 prospects for homecoming, turning the weekend into one of its biggest recruiting stages of the year. The group reportedly includes players ranging from low three-stars to some of the top names in the class, and No. 2 PA recruit George Parkinson IV is among those expected in attendance.
That gives Wisconsin a chance to mess with the script. If the Badgers can walk out of there with a strong performance, they could make life harder for Penn State on the recruiting trail and maybe even turn a few heads toward Madison. That part is obviously a long shot, but the opportunity is there.
There’s also a more direct recruiting prize for Wisconsin. Five-star 2028 recruit Jelanie George is scheduled to make his commitment on Oct. 1, and this game will be the last time he sees the Badgers before making that decision. Wisconsin has been strongly linked to George, and he recently put the Badgers in his top four after visiting campus for the Western Illinois game.
The 6’5 250 EDGE from Goodyear, AZ is ranked as a Top 10 Recruit in the 2028 Rivals Industry Rankings https://t.co/Uq2s6P5ksK pic.twitter.com/KgSXmvEkO4
- Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) September 21, 2026
That makes Saturday a big one for Wisconsin even before the ball is kicked. Whether the game swings George’s decision is something only he and his family know, but an upset on the road would certainly help the Badgers’ case.
On the field, Wisconsin is getting some useful breaks too. Running back Abu Sama III is back to health ahead of the rematch against his former coach, and Malachi Coleman is also back practicing with hopes of returning by 4 p.m. Saturday.
Penn State, meanwhile, will be without Koby Howard, its leading receiver by a wide margin. The Nittany Lions may also be missing another key piece, since tight end Benjamin Brahmer is listed as questionable.
Even with those absences, Wisconsin still has plenty of work to do to pull off the upset. But the setup has tilted in the Badgers’ favor enough to make this one feel very much alive as Saturday approaches.
In Other News...
Wisconsins Penn State Chances Suddenly Come Down To One Big Concern
The first Big Ten availability report for Wisconsins matchup with Penn State offered an immediate look at how much depth both teams may have to lean on when they meet. The Badgers listed four players as out, five as questionable and four as probable, while Penn States report also came with notable absences and a cluster of uncertain names as the week moves on.
For Wisconsin, the bigger issue is not just who is already ruled out, but how many key decisions are still hanging over the game. Penn States side adds to the intrigue with star receiver Koby Howard among the players unavailable, and six more Nittany Lions listed as questionable. In a game where both staffs are already sorting through injuries, the final availability report could end up shaping the matchup as much as anything on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin's Secondary Suddenly Has A Depth Problem Fans Didn't Want
Wisconsins secondary took another hit in Week 2 when cornerback Cai Bates went down with a torn ACL, ending his season before it really got started. The Florida State transfer had settled in as the No. 2 boundary cornerback, giving the Badgers a useful blend of experience and depth in a spot where every snap matters. Bates confirmed the injury on Instagram, and for a defense that has leaned on its back end to steady things, losing a player in that role is a tough break.
Donovan Dunmore now appears to be the next man up, with the true freshman expected to fill the opening on the boundary. For Wisconsin, the move is about more than simply plugging a lineup hole because the Badgers had been counting on Bates to provide reliable snaps in a secondary that could not afford to get thin. How quickly Dunmore can handle that jump is now one of the more important subplots on the defensive side. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Heads To Penn State With A Secondary Problem It Can't Ignore
As Wisconsin turns to Week 4 at Penn State, the conversation is already drifting toward availability as much as matchup. The Badgers are trying to navigate a secondary that took another blow with Florida State transfer cornerback Bates suffering a torn ACL and being expected to miss the season, a development that only sharpens the pressure on a defense that has to hold up on the road in a difficult environment.
The injury picture is still far from settled around Madison, with Mason Posa, Eugene Hilton Jr., Malachi Coleman, Abu Sama and Bryan Jackson all carrying different statuses heading into the trip. Penn State, meanwhile, has its own questions to sort through with starting center Brock Riker and tight end Andrew Rappleyea listed as questionable, while the Nittany Lions also will be without wide receiver Koby Howard for an extended stretch after his injury announcement. [Read more 🡒]