Interviews with Frenemies: Wisconsin

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After a Week 3 break, we are back with our weekly Q and A series with a fellow blogger. This week, check out Bucky’s 5th Quarter to read all about Wisconsin as they prep for Saturday’s game with Penn State. We exchanged some questions with Rohan Chakravarthi. Head on over to our sister site to read what I had to say about this game.

I hate opening this way – but the last time Penn State played against Wisconsin, the Lions survived Camp Randall with a backup quarterback as Beau Pribula played the second half in a 28-13 win for the Lions. That loss started a five-game losing streak to close the season and Wisconsin is 2-13 vs. P4 teams since that night. With that as context, what’s the feeling around Madison with Luke Fickell?

Everyone is on the edge of their seats, as this is the make-or-break year for Luke Fickell. The results have been disappointing through three years, although there have been plenty of issues, from quarterback injuries to being late to NIL and more.

Still, there’s been a ton that falls on Fickell and his coaching staff, and the resources were there this offseason. Fickell must, at the very minimum, make a bowl game with Wisconsin’s schedule, but the hopes should be for seven to eight wins this season. If not, there will be serious discussions to be had this offseason.

Wisconsin did hold its own for a half against Notre Dame in Green Bay. How big of an advantage is having played that game as Wisconsin enters a hostile environment with Beaver Stadium?

t was a good litmus test, but also a big learning lesson. Wisconsin held its own in the first half before a rough collapse in the second half against Notre Dame. We’ve seen that story play out multiple times under Fickell over the past few years, including the 28-13 loss to Penn State a few years ago.

Now, getting that challenge has allowed Wisconsin to grow more over the last two weeks, and we finally saw a complete performance in Week 3. Whether that translates to an environment like Penn State’s remains to be seen, and Fickell acknowledged that’s one of the toughest places to play in the country.

Let’s talk Wisconsin offense now – Penn State’s defense hasn’t faced a competent offense so far. What can Colton Joseph and crew do to attack Penn State and who are some other players to know?

The Badgers have been trying to establish their run game, but haven’t gotten there yet. Running back Abu Sama, a familiar face to many Penn State players who came from Iowa State, will be good to go after missing Week 3. He’s the home run threat, but sometimes dances too much at the line of scrimmage instead of being vertical. That can’t happen against Penn State.

In the air, Colton Joseph had a strong game in Week 3, but we’ve seen a lot of easy misses with his accuracy issues so far. That was something present coming into Wisconsin as well.

The Badgers are down some receiver talent as well, so the X-Factor will be the quarterback run. We haven’t seen it as much this season, but Joseph’s ability to take off on designed runs or scrambles could be the key for a middling run game.

Receiver Tyrell Henry is coming off a career game with 14 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown. He’s been Joseph’s safety blanket in the slot, working well underneath and in space as a shifty mover. Wisconsin is trying to involve its tight ends more as well, and Jacob Harris has been their top vertical threat there.

Switching sides – Penn State’s offense has a very experienced quarterback leading the way. What will Wisconsin do to try to slow that attack?

Wisconsin needs to play aggressive, which didn’t happen in the second half against Penn State. The Badgers rotate a lot up front and will have to bottle up the run game. When they’re aggressive and can get those early-down stops, it opens up a ton for defensive coordinator Mike Tressel.

Tackling has also been a problem, though that was cleaned up in Week 3. Leading the defense is star sophomore linebacker Mason Posa, who has a nose for the football. His running mate Cooper Catalano is a tackling machine, and Wisconsin also revamped its secondary.

Look for Tressel to use creative blitzes to get pressure on the quarterback. That’ll be the way to get off the field on third downs.

Let’s get a prediction – what are keys to Saturday’s game and how do you see it playing out?

Wisconsin is going to need to find a way to get some consistency running the ball. Otherwise, it might be a tough night with the offense, especially if Joseph is inaccurate again.

For Penn State, the way to separate from this Badgers team is the shot plays. Wisconsin has been beaten in the secondary a few times, and some of those explosives could create a gap that the Badgers can’t come back from.

Penn State feels too good for the Badgers here, who I’m not sure have snapped their inconsistent habits yet. I think Wisconsin can put up a fight for parts of the game, but the Nittany Lions are too strong in too many areas for the upset.

Prediction: Penn State 27, Wisconsin 13

We thank Rohan for the honesty and encourage you once again to head over to Bucky’s 5th Quarter for more news on the Badgers and this matchup with Penn State.

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