The Lions' Pride

In saying it's straight forward, I assume you mean their offense vs. our defense. If so, I like that matchup as they are one-dimensional and do not have a mobile QB. We will put 8 in the box all day.

I really think we'll be favored, probably by 3-4 points by Vegas.

Something else to consider...Wisconsin does not need to win this game except for bowl positioning should they lose in the title game. I wonder how Bielema will handle this situation - does he rest/limit his better players to keep the healthy for the title game, or does he play it straight up?

Whatever he does, he'll be a dick about it, regardless.

This is an interesting game. We certainly should be able to win. But I'm not so sure. Wisconsin has the ability to run quite effectively. Our defense is really banged up, though, and missing Mauti could be significant.

Their defense has done a good job. I think our offense will be able to move the ball, but they effectively shut down a very explosive offense in OSU.

Personally I think this is a tough matchup. They are going to poundthe ball. I am not sure we have enough depth at DT and LB to stay fresh Plus our safety's are really poor tacklers. I think they will be able to run the ball effectively against us.

I disagree that this is an easy victory. I actually don't see how Wisconsin wont be favored. It'll probably be a close line as PSU is home. I'd think PSU +1. Wisconsinite QB is fairly mobile, he's just not a great passer. The best thing for PSU is that Ball carried the ball 39 times in an emotional overtime loss. That and home field advantage. Meanwhile PSU is coming off a relatively easy loss.

The biggest concern is the Wisconson defense. They are very good. Probably the best all around defense PSU has faced. I believe the defense can hold Wisconsin under 21, but sure the offense scores 21 or more. And...Btw....Wisconsin hasn't lost a game by more then 7 on two years. They slow the game down and limit posessions while wearing teams down. It's ways interesting to see how BOBs s scheme matches up against certain teams. With BOB we'll always pick apart Iowa zone scheme and be challenged by man to man teamslike OSU. Ill have to watch some Wisconsin this week. To get a feel.

Finally... Say they are one dimensional but that running game will still be tough. They have sets where they come out with 7 offensive lineman. And... Ball is still top 3 in CFB. I've had a bad feel about OsU and Neb and not starting off week feeling good about Wisky. We'll see after I get a chance to watch the OSU game.

I agree with PSUkurt on this. Wisconsin is going to run the ball between the tackles and Ball was getting 6-9 yard runs running straight at the O$U D and Harkins, Simon, and Shutt had a pretty good game against those monster O linemen. I saw our good friend Spence's name called a few times on pass rush. So I hope we can generate some long drives to keep our D fresh, because I think our D does match up well we just need to keep them fresh and can't afford the O to leave them stranded on too many 3 and outs. This is going to be a tough game and if anyone thinks it's going to be easy is NUTS.

PSU42Fan,

1. Who has PSU beaten? The best team has been so-so Northwestern. This is a wash.

2. I don't see PSU favored. I actually see Wisconsin favored by 3-7 points.

I'm worried that the running game of Wisky's will just keep pounding away at us until we fall over. I'm hoping we put some quick scores on the board and make Wisky's offense turn to the pass.

I think PSU matches up much better against Wisky than the Bucks did. You pass the ball very well, and that will allow you to also run the ball effectively. I'd imagine you'll score 24-30 points on them. Then it just boils down to not letting them run wild on you. M. Ball had a ton of yards against us, but it was spread throughout the game and luckily we didn't give up any big TD plays. He's going to get his yards because he's going to carry the ball 30+ times, but they aren't built to play catch up, so if you get a lead and keep passing I think you'll handle them fairly well.

Wisconsin is southern Canada, they say ay, they don't count.

This is key. If O'Brien falls in love with the pass and goes three and out, we're on trouble because Ball and that OL will beat us to our knees.

If we can string some drives together and give Hill and our DTs some rest, we should be fine. Just because we are a passing offense doesn't mean we have to run NASCAR packages. O'Brien is still learning as a HC, so hopefully he gets his shit together and starts calling plays to help sustain drives and slow things down so the defense can rest.

The NASCAR package is great when you get first downs and move the chains, but we've let it get us into trouble at times by going 3&out without running more than a minute off the clock. That does nothing for the defense, if anything it's negative for both offense and defense.

Whatever we run, we need to move the chains. Sounds simple and obvious, but if we can't get first downs early, the second half will be the Ball and White Show.

I havent felt this good about a game since Northwestern.

I really could see this going something (Not to quite such a degree of course) as the IOWA game.

We jump out to a two score lead early and put the pressure on them. Third quarter we come out NASCAR running the ball and wearing them down some, at the same time keeping our D semi-fresh for the fourth quarter.

My only point about their wins is that this isn't the dominant machine we've seen in Madison that last couple of seasons.