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The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: 847badgerfan on October 20, 2024, 08:48:47 AM

Title: #3 Penn State (4-0, 7-0) at Wisconsin (3-2, 5-3) Postgame
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 20, 2024, 08:48:47 AM
This begins the final stretch for Wisconsin.

PSU
@Iowa
Idle
Oregon
@Nebraska
Minnesota

The last 3 weeks the Badgers have played great. OK, so it was Purdue, @Rutgers and @NU.

They gave up a total of 16 points in three weeks.

I have to credit them for that effort.

Can they stop Penn State, in a home night game at Camp Randall? Gonna be interesting, for sure. Camp Randall will be rocking.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: Cincydawg on October 20, 2024, 08:57:20 AM
Interesting game for sure.  I imagine PSU will enter as a 7 point favorite or so.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 20, 2024, 09:00:30 AM
PSU -8.5 right now. I think that will come down.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: MrNubbz on October 20, 2024, 09:03:11 AM
Can they stop Penn State, in a home night game at Camp Randall? Gonna be interesting, for sure. Camp Randall will be rocking.
It's always good for CFB when it is
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 20, 2024, 09:49:48 AM
This is probably going to be one of the toughest games on PSU's schedule this season. 

They were idle yesterday.

(https://i.imgur.com/Sn75Iy5.png)

Then, moving forward, they have this:

(https://i.imgur.com/4rXMtTk.png)

The B1G schedule god loves Penn State.

Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: Cincydawg on October 20, 2024, 10:13:11 AM
I'll be a Badger fan next weekend for sure.  

Below is some usual click bait guessing at the playoff, with Bama in at #7...

Bowl projections: Georgia jumps Texas for No. 1 seed in College Football Playoff, Tennessee has work ahead - CBSSports.com (https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/bowl-projections-georgia-jumps-texas-for-no-1-seed-in-college-football-playoff-tennessee-has-work-ahead/)

Next weekend interesting games perhaps:

ND at Navy, both ranked.

Mizzou at Bama, both ranked.

LSU at A&M both ranked.

SMU at Duke, both might be ranked.

Illinois at Oregon, both ranked.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 20, 2024, 10:20:25 AM
That loss to USC is looking really bad for Wisconsin.

Same for LSU's loss to USC.

I don't know what to make of USC anymore. Since they beat Wisconsin, they haven't won.

(https://i.imgur.com/RbrR8LS.png)
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: Cincydawg on October 20, 2024, 10:22:59 AM
Close losses at least, two on the road, they probably are an OK team.    Injuries?
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: FearlessF on October 20, 2024, 10:31:14 AM
hard to figure out most teams
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: Badger1969 on October 20, 2024, 11:11:36 AM
IMO, Wisconsin needs to play a mistake free game.  They seem to play great against better teams through 2 or 3 quarters and then play not to loose instead of playing to win.  Against Northwestern it took them more then a quarter to get going.  They scored 3 touchdowns and then nothing till the safety.  This won't cut it with Penn State.  They will need a full 4 quarter assault. 
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: Cincydawg on October 20, 2024, 11:37:49 AM
We see every team play poorly at times, and some teams look great at times.  And yes, they are 20 year olds for the most part, that is a factor, and the ball bounces oddly.

A QB can be off on a pass by 6 inches downfield 20 yards and it's an INT, or at times a catch.  A pitcher throws the ball 20 yards with no one attacking him and has 17" to play with, more if you're Maddux.

Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 21, 2024, 12:26:18 PM


After watching Wisconsin turn their season around these past three games while watching Alabama begin looking like everybody else (penalties, offense suffering cold stretches, defense giving up untimely 3rd downs) I wonder how a rematch would go at this point in the season?

Wisconsin looks night-&-day better than how they started the seasons with playing down to FCS opponents, blowout losses, 2nd half collapses, getting out-physical-ed, and wondering whether the Badgers might miss a bowl.

The Badgers put up 589yds Vs Purdue, 549yds @ Rutgers, and 359yds @ NW. They've beaten their last three opponents by an average of 30.3 pts. Some might question the level of competition but this is exactly how a great Indiana team is mowing through their schedule. A win is more than possible Vs Penn State this weekend.
I agree that it is possible, @CatsbyAZ (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1532) but I don't know that I predict it. I need to dig into PSU a little more.


Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: ELA on October 21, 2024, 12:31:19 PM
This is probably going to be one of the toughest games on PSU's schedule this season.

They were idle yesterday.

[img width=500 height=218.984]https://i.imgur.com/Sn75Iy5.png[/img]

Then, moving forward, they have this:

[img width=500 height=185.996]https://i.imgur.com/4rXMtTk.png[/img]

The B1G schedule god loves Penn State.


Well, I don't think anyone assumed USC would be this bad.  They play OSU and USC.  I think as long as you have at least one of the Tier 1 teams (OSU and Oregon).  And one of the presumed Tier 2 teams (USC, Michigan, PSU), that's about all you can ask.  How the bottom churns, who knows
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: ELA on October 21, 2024, 12:33:14 PM
Penn State 26, Wisconsin 17
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: Cincydawg on October 21, 2024, 12:35:23 PM
Penn State has a decent win over WVU, then a one TD win overBGSU, then blew out Kent State, then beat Illinois by 2 TDs which starts to look good, then beat UCLA by 16 and edged USC in OT by 3.  That last one could have been a loss easily enough, USC led 20-6 at the half.  It was in LA.

One solid win and some OK wins.  They don't look to be barnburners, and in Madison I suspect they will have a tough time.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: SFBadger96 on October 21, 2024, 12:56:44 PM
The Badgers need to be more precise from the beginning on offense. Locke has moments of brilliance, but interspersed with moments of WTF!?! The defense is playing well right now--that's the Badgers' strength, but Locke, et al., can't leave them hanging as he has for several stretches during even the good games. In each of the last three games the offense has needed some warm-up time. And while the offense is starting to look more like it's supposed to--which requires going for long balls from time to time--Locke needs to be more willing to take a short, 5-7 yard gain when it's available, rather than hucking the ball 40-yards downfield and hoping.

I'll be there this weekend. I expect at least the first few minutes to be outstanding. I hope the Badgers keep it interesting late. Hope is not a method; offensive efficiency is.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: Cincydawg on October 21, 2024, 01:08:29 PM
Wisconsin. 23

PSU.  20
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 22, 2024, 01:11:54 PM
Yep, I'm taking Wisconsin here. I think they continue to build on the momentum gained from the past 3-4 games.

23-20 is a good score pick.

The Vegas line is now PSU -6.5, from a -9 start.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on October 22, 2024, 01:42:34 PM
Such an interesting game and a humongous opportunity for both teams.  

For Penn State:
There is an argument that PSU rather than Oregon should be the league's and the nation's #1 team.  Oregon has the #1 spot largely because they have a higher-profile "marquee" win than PSU.  That is fair, but the Ducks have been fortunate enough to get the best three teams they have played at home:

Oregon's road slate so far is laughable.  They've travelled to Westwood and West Lafayette to play what are probably the worst two teams in the B1G and they travelled across their home state to take on the Beavers who are 4-3 only because they have wins over an FCS team, the worst team in the B1G and a couple of MWC teams.  


Penn State, on the other hand, has done some impressive work away from home.  They won in Morgantown and took down USC in Troy.  Now if they can win in the Camp they'll head home for a week off before hosting Ohio State with a LOT on the line.  

Wisconsin, as I see it, is a bit of a mystery.  Bama made them look silly and they absolutely imploded in LA after building a 21-10 lead midway through the second quarter.  Since that USC catastrophe the Badgers are 3-0.  That is great but their opponents have been arguably three of the worst four teams in the league so maybe Wisconsin hasn't improved they've just gotten easier opponents?  OTOH, Wisconsin hasn't just won their last three games, they've obliterated their last three opponents with a 52-6 win over Purdue (more impressive than Oregon's win over the Boilermakers), a 42-7 win at Rutgers, and a 23-3 win at Northwestern which is doubly impressive since nobody even knows where Northwestern holds their games!  

If Wisconsin can win this, they also get Oregon at home and they don't have to play Ohio State nor Indiana so a clear path to the B1GCG exists.  
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 22, 2024, 04:01:24 PM
I'll be there this weekend. I expect at least the first few minutes to be outstanding. I hope the Badgers keep it interesting late. Hope is not a method; offensive efficiency is.
The atmosphere will be through the roof. Hopefully the Badgers can keep it that way with inspired play early. You don't want to lose what will be a very juiced crowd.

Juiced in more ways than one.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: utee94 on October 22, 2024, 04:28:10 PM
Juiced in more ways than one.
We're picking up, what you're laying down, fam.


(https://i.imgur.com/VE5zkII.jpeg)
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: GopherRock on October 22, 2024, 04:47:30 PM
The atmosphere will be through the roof. Hopefully the Badgers can keep it that way with inspired play early. You don't want to lose what will be a very juiced crowd.

Juiced in more ways than one.
Has UW admin improved student entrance to the Camp? One reason the student section is largely empty at kickoff is that they are stuck in lines outside.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 22, 2024, 04:49:19 PM
It's better but not perfect.

This being a night game against a high-level team should help.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: bayareabadger on October 23, 2024, 01:52:43 PM
I don’t feel confident about it, but I would like a win
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: SFBadger96 on October 24, 2024, 04:23:18 PM
The last time I was scheduled to see Wisconsin play a top-3 ranked team at home was October 2010, when #1 Ohio State was coming to town. I had a work conflict that arose that forced me to change my plans and see Wisconsin destroy Austin Peay instead. Not quite the same as watching the epic night game that was the last time Wisconsin beat a top-3 opponent. I've seen the highlights of that game so many times--and the institutional memory amongst my friends is basically that I was there because of the emotional toll it took on us (mostly me) to have to cancel. It's a running joke to pretend that I was there.

I've been to very few games since. But I'm going this Saturday. No work conflicts this time. This is only the third time since then that the Badgers have had a top-3 opponent at home--and it was the only weekend I could get to Madison this football season. So here's hoping that I get the game I was deprived of in 2010.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: ELA on October 24, 2024, 04:39:07 PM
Has UW admin improved student entrance to the Camp? One reason the student section is largely empty at kickoff is that they are stuck in lines outside.
Every stadium sort of has that problem.  But also, the students at all schools have an issue of wanting one more drink, and maybe another shot...oh, shit it's the second quarter!
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 25, 2024, 01:25:03 PM
Wisconsin writer (he's not a homer)

Preview: No. 3 Penn State at Wisconsin (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/college/wisconsin/longformarticle/wisconsin-badgers-football-penn-state-nittany-lions-preview-prediction-238465079/#2521250)

PSU writers (homers)

No. 3 Penn State at Wisconsin quick-hitting Blitz game preview (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/longformarticle/no-3-penn-state-at-wisconsin-quick-hitting-blitz-game-preview-238565619/#2523215)
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 26, 2024, 10:26:51 AM
Welp.

https://twitter.com/JonSauber/status/1849249651636989961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1849249651636989961%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url= (https://twitter.com/JonSauber/status/1849249651636989961?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1849249651636989961|twgr^|twcon^s1_&ref_url=)
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (3-0, 6-0) at Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Game Week
Post by: FearlessF on October 26, 2024, 10:37:08 AM
no comment, probably the best there
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (4-0, 7-0) at Wisconsin (3-2, 5-3) Postgame
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 27, 2024, 09:10:35 AM
PSU's offense scored 21 points.

Wisconsin's scored 20, but only 13 for themselves.
Title: Re: #3 Penn State (4-0, 7-0) at Wisconsin (3-2, 5-3) Postgame
Post by: SFBadger96 on October 29, 2024, 11:56:56 AM
Some quick thoughts on this game. First half obviously went much better for the Badgers than the second half. What was clear all night was that PSU's defensive line was kicking the Badgers' o-line's ass. The Badgers' run game was decent in the first half, but not good. But every play there was pressure on the line. The first half was exactly the kind of game the Badgers' needed to win: limit your mistakes, grind it out, and rely on a mistake here or there from PSU. The Badgers' receivers dropped some balls, but PSU had more what I would call key drops. One drive in particular, PSU went from a huge potential gain (likely 30-40 yards), to a third and long because of a drop. That kind of play hurts more than an 8-yard out pattern that didn't work out.

It was always clear that Penn State was the more complete team, which means the Badgers would need to capitalize on PSU's mistakes to have a legitimate shot to win. PSU nearly turned the ball over twice, but the bounces went their way (a dropped kick, and a mishanled QB/RB exchange). If those plays had gone the Badgers' way, they would have been in business--and the crowd, which was in a nervous, well-lubricated state, would have exploded. Instead, the nervous energy permeated the stands, then Locke threw the pick-6. Backbreaking. Sure, the Badgers could still have rallied, but they were struggling against PSU's defense all night, and in the second half, the PSU front seven had completed worn down the Badgers' front. So ten total rushing yards. Ouch. And that change in momentum--from a game the Badgers were grinding out to one that they had to come from behind in--against a team that passed the eye test of being the more complete team--was the killer.

As always, to win that kind of game, you need a couple of breaks. The Badgers didn't ever get a big one. And true to form (see prior notes), Locke gave up a bad one the other way. I'm not as down on him as some people (or my prior comments) are--he has time to grow into a much better QB--but those kinds of plays are limiting this team this season.

Iowa should be a good tilt next week. I see at least one more win for this team (best bet is between Nebraksa and Minnesota--even if both are toss-ups, odds are the Badgers get one), but the game against Iowa will really tell me whether this team has moved forward at all, or is just treading water from the last few years of mediocrity. And that's always a tough test on the road.

I was disappointed not to get my 2010 Ohio State-type win, but Camp Randall is still always a blast, and even more so for a big game under the lights. (Although I could use a little less piped in music.)