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PRACTICE NOTEBOOK BY NATE BAUER Penn State's health continues to be a concern leading into the final week of the season. True freshman run-on Von Walker (concussion) has been cleared to play against Wisconsin, and coach Bill O'Brien said that running back Bill Belton "looks like he's going to be good to go" after being held out against Nebraska due to a banged up shoulder and a case of strep throat. Additionally, O'Brien noted that cornerback Adrian Amos is suffering from a foot sprain but may be able to play. "He seems to be moving around better and better every day," O'Brien said. • O'Brien and his assistants have been preparing their offense for the difficulties that Wisconsin's 3-4 defense presents. "We ran a 3‑4 in New England for the years I was there, and it's very difficult, N O V E M B E R especially when you have the type of personnel that Wisconsin has or that we had at the time in New England where you have a nose guard in Vince Wilfork, or the guy from Wisconsin who is 330 pounds – a big, stout dude," O'Brien said. Wisconsin has some of the best defensive numbers not only in the Big Ten this season, but also in the country. The Badgers rank sixth nationally in total defense, seventh in rushing defense, ninth in passing yards allowed, third in pass-efficiency defense and fifth in scoring defense. "It's different than going against a 4‑3, defense, which is more of a four‑down look with three linebackers in the box," O'Brien said. "So different plays are better against a 3‑4 than they are against a 4‑3, and vice versa. So you have got to retrain your players. To me, it is a difficult task. That is what we're doing right now." The Badgers haven't given up a touchdown in six of their 11 games this season. 2 7 , 2 0 1 3 16 • O'Brien has declined to discuss wideout Allen Robinson's upcoming decision about whether to stay at Penn State for his final season of eligibility or move on to the NFL, but he did talk on Tuesday about how he tries to help players like Robinson who are considering their options. "As far as the NFL, I always have an open‑door policy, he said. "We've had a " lot of NFL scouts in here this year. I have an open‑door policy with the players, and every once in a while I say, 'Look, toward the end of the year, if you're thinking about that, come see me. Sit down, let's talk about it. I'll tell you how the process works. If you're an underclassman, you can submit your name to the advisory board. If you're a guy whose eligibility is over, here's what I think. Here's how I see you. Here are the positions I see you being able to play. ' "I just try to talk to them. I always encourage them, if they think they can do it, then do it. ... I'll tell them my honest opinion and encourage them to pursue it. " B LUE WH I T E ON L I N E .COM

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