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KEY MATChuPS P E N N S TAT E V S . WI S C O N S I N | B Y E R I C T H O M A S W H E N P E N N S T A T E H A S T H E B A L L WISCONSIN RUN DEFENSE PENN STATE RUNNING GAME VS. PASS DEFENSE WISCONSIN PENN STATE PASSING GAME VS. PENN STATE RUNNING GAME 143.1 YPG, 3.7 YPC WISCONSIN RUN DEFENSE 106.6 YPG, 3.4 YPC THE LOWDOWN Expect Penn State to try to establish Zach Zwinak early in this game, just as it did against Nebraska. That way, the Lions can try to suck in the Badgers' defense and then turn the passing game loose. Zwinak is the perfect type of runner to go against a stout Wisconsin front, led by Mike Taylor and Chris Borland. Ohio State hit the Badgers with 41 rushing attempts a week ago. Does Penn State have the mind-set to attempt the same thing? Or will Zwinak and Michael Zordich try to wear down the Badgers early, and then again late? Interesting matchup here. EDGEWisconsin PENN STATE PASSING GAME 279.8 YPG, 12.2 YPC WISCONSIN PASS DEFENSE 196.3 YPG, 10.5 YPC THE LOWDOWN Matt McGloin fared pretty darn well against Indiana, teaming up with Allen Robinson for a record-setting day. The previous coaching staff had a tendency to reward senior signal-callers by turning them loose on Senior Day. Expect Bill O'Brien and McGloin to have a few things up their sleeve in this game. The player to watch is Brandon Moseby-Felder. Wisconsin will likely use a safety to help out on Robinson, giving Moseby-Felder some room to operate. The Badgers have just six interceptions this season, three of them by Devin Smith. EDGE Penn State W H E N W I S C O N S I N H A S T H E B A L L WISCONSIN RUNNING GAME VS. PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE WISCONSIN PASSING GAME VS. PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE WISCONSIN RUNNING GAME 217.6 YPG, 4.8 YPC PENN STATE RUN DEFENSE 125.7 YPG, 3.5 YPC THE LOWDOWN Montee Ball gets his chance to make amends for the fumble against the Buckeyes a week ago. He and James White form the best 1-2 backfield punch in the Big Ten. How will the Penn State defense fare without linebacker Michael Mauti? That will depend largely on his replacement, Mike Hull. Hull has had a fine season to date, but the problem for Penn State is that Wisconsin's running game puts just as much pressure on the defensive line as the linebackers. This will be a big challenge for the Lions in every sense of the word. EDGE Wisconsin WISCONSIN PASSING GAME 165.6 YPG, 13.0 YPC PENN STATE PASS DEFENSE 228.1 YPG, 10.8 YPC THE LOWDOWN The Badgers' passing attack has been in a constant state of flux this season. Danny O'Brien had been expected to have the same kind of impact Russell Wilson did a season ago, but that hasn't happened. Instead, Bret Bielema has used three quarterbacks: O'Brien, Joel Stave and Curt Phillips. Stave has the best numbers, but Phillips has played the entirety of the past two games. He will likely get the nod this week, too. Jared Abbrederis leads the Badgers with 41 recep- tions. Penn State's cornerbacks will need to have one of their best games of the season. EDGEEven O T H E R M A T C H U P S SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWNMelvin Gordon and White do the kick returning for the Badgers and are a problem. Kyle French has made 10 of 14 field goal attempts this season. This could be the type of game in which field position makes the difference, and that puts pressure on Alex Butterworth and Penn State's punt unit. It could also mean that improved Sam Ficken will be called upon. EDGEEven THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN Who really has more to play for in this game? We'll argue Penn State, because win or lose, Wisconsin is going to the Big Ten title game next week. Penn State wants to close the season on a positive note before turning its attention to what figures to be a challenging off-season. A season-end- ing victory over a potential Big Ten champion would certainly be helpful. EDGE Penn State COACHING STAFF THE LOWDOWN This is Penn State's bowl game. There won't be another week of practice and Beaver Sta- dium's gates won't open again until the Blue-White Game. So, what does the rookie Penn State coach have in mind? Bielema's M.O. should be simple: get into the stadium healthy, get out of the stadium healthy, play for a Big Ten title. EDGEEven N O V E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 3 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M

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