Penn State-Wisconsin picks from the ESPN College GameDay crew: Who has the Lions, Badgers?
MADISON, Wisc. — We still have hours to go before No. 3 Penn State faces Wisconsin (5-2) at Camp Randall Stadium. To pass the time, let’s review a Saturday tradition: How the ESPN ‘College GameDay’ crew picked one of many matchups involving top 25 teams this week.
“When you talk about defense, we’re going to have to stop the run,” James Franklin said on the Penn State Coaches Show. “They’ve made a commitment the last three weeks to running the football. They had a quarterback change. I think that was an important decision for them. And I think it’s really brought their team together.”
“And then I think for us, another thing that’s going to be important on offense and really defense is starting strong. It’s something we haven’t done consistently this year, going into that environment that’s going to be really important for us as well. So I’d say those are the three big things in this game.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The network’s top crew of Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (color commentary), and Kathryn Tappen (sideline reporter) will be on the call. Before that, let’s take a look at today’s GameDay picks below.
How did the ESPN College GameDay crew pick Penn State-Wisconsin?
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber was the guest picker as the show was broadcast live from Eugene ahead of Indiana–Washington. Here’s the full breakdown:
Kirk Herbstreit: Penn State
Desmond Howard: Penn State
Lee Corso: Penn State
Nick Saban: Penn State
Pat McAfee: PSU
Celebrity guest picker Kyle Schwarber: Penn State
Top 10
- 1
Texas pregame scare
Ryan Wingo collides with Vandy staffer
- 2
Hugh Freeze
Auburn HC ill ahead of Kentucky game
- 3New
Will Johnson out
Michigan top DB out vs. Michigan State
- 4
Week 9 picks
ESPN College GameDay predicts Saturday's top games
- 5
Lathan Ransom
Ohio State without key starter vs. Huskers
“Penn State, James Franklin, off a bye,” Herbstreit said. “You think it’s a good time to get healthy, but he’s 5-6 off of byes since he’s been at Penn State. Go back to the USC game. They started slow. Can’t do that at Camp Randall. They’re starting to play a lot better. This whole game is about Penn State being able to stop that run game and get Wisconsin into obvious passing downs. And they have Ohio State next week. But, they have to lock in on Madison.”
Added Saban:
“I think it’s a little bit of a trap game. Wisconsin’s defense has been playing really well. Penn State must stop the run and make Wisconsin’s quarterback win the game.”
“I was really struggling with this one, but I don’t know if I can trust [the Wisconsin] offense,” Howard said.
How did the BWI staff pick the game?
Nate Bauer: PSU: 27, Wisconsin: 21
Sean Fitz: PSU: 24, Wisconsin: 14
Thomas Frank Carr: PSU: 31, Wisconsin: 17
Matt Herb: PSU: 27, Wisconsin: 21
Greg Pickel: PSU: 30, Wisconsin: 10
Ryan Snyder: PSU: 24, Wisconsin: 14
