Wisconsin at Penn State - 2026 Matchup Preview
Wisconsin logo Wisconsin Badgers at Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State logo
Saturday, September 26th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Beaver Stadium - University Park, PA

 
Badgers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Luke Fickell (17 - 21)
Avg Score : 13 - 22 (9 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
PSU 2nd straight Home Game
PSU is playing their 4th straight game
WIS is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Penn State -18.5  (SP+ PSU -23)
Projected Score: WIS: 12 - PSU: 31 (43)
PSU Win prob: 91% | Cover: 44%
WIS Travel: 614 miles, 1 hrs behind
Nittany Lions (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Campbell (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 31 - 21 (34 - 15 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Wisconsin's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sun 9/6 Wisconsin vs Notre Dame+25
Sat 9/12 Wisconsin vs Western Illinois-22.5
Sat 9/19 Wisconsin vs Eastern Michigan-14
Sat 9/26 Wisconsin at Penn State+18.5
Sat 10/3 Wisconsin vs Michigan State-3.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 Wisconsin at UCLA+1.5
Sat 10/24 Wisconsin vs USC+19
Sat 10/31 Wisconsin at Iowa+17
Sat 11/7 Wisconsin vs Rutgers-3
Sat 11/14 Wisconsin at Maryland+5.5
Sat 11/21 Wisconsin at Purdue-0
Sat 11/28 Wisconsin vs Minnesota+2

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Wisconsin's Schedule
Penn State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Penn State vs Marshall-23
Sat 9/12 Penn State at Temple-19.5
Sat 9/19 Penn State vs Buffalo-28.5
Sat 9/26 Penn State vs Wisconsin-18.5
Sat 10/3 Penn State at Northwestern-9
Sat 10/10 Penn State vs USC+3.5
Sat 10/17 Penn State at Michigan+3
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Penn State vs Purdue-21
Sat 11/7 Penn State at Washington+6
Sat 11/14 Penn State vs Minnesota-13.5
Sat 11/21 Penn State vs Rutgers-18.5
Sat 11/28 Penn State at Maryland-10.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Penn State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WIS#132 (.01)35% (130)12.834% (132)2.82 (91)11838% (108)1362.28 (135)#88 (.19)45% (110)21.644% (92)46% (118)3.13 (25)30.11.30.5
PSU#32 (.23)46% (26)3147% (33)3.12 (38)17445% (32)1884.32 (25)#50 (.12)41% (62)20.544% (94)38% (36)3.33 (37)37.30.81
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WIS0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
PSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WIS Offense1212.8935.4%2.281.3142551181363.456%42%34%38%18%.01
PSU Defense1320.515.141.2%3.331 - - - - - 51%48%44%38%16%.12
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WIS Defense1221.626.244.8%3.130.5 - - - - - 47%51%44%46%13%.19
PSU Offense13313446.3%4.320.8203621741884.855%43%47%45%14%.23

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Wisconsin1230:3714.132%67%3.630.11.30.55.12.6128.3
Penn State1329:2919.644%59%4.137.30.816.22.4231.9
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WIS Offense1256% (24)34% (132)35.1118.33.49 (122).04 (107)2.82 (91)66% (103)12% (121)1.05 (34)
PSU Defense1351% (83)44% (94) - - - - .11 (75)2.97 (84)69% (54)11% (34)0.93 (55)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WIS Defense1247% (31)44% (92) - - - - .06 (42)2.75 (43)71% (70)9% (89)0.86 (16)
PSU Offense1355% (29)47% (33)36.5174.44.830 (26).21 (25)3.12 (38)76% (43)9% (47)1 (52)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WIS Offense1242% (113)38% (108)13.122.7136.4610.49 (114)13 (119).03 (131)1.5 (105)33% (101)25% (120).2 (109)7% (95)2.1 (48)
PSU Defense1348% (63)38% (36) - - - - - - 6 (55).18 (40)1.5 (26)30% (99)27% (28).23 (49)5% (101)1.9 (33)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WIS Defense1251% (100)46% (118) - - - - - - 5 (75).33 (106)1.4 (11)30% (97)29% (67).34 (91)4% (133)2 (70)
PSU Offense1343% (111)45% (32)17.426.1187.67.210.816 (86)7 (60).28 (53)1.4 (111)26% (11)31% (57).35 (52)5% (25)2 (69)

Wisconsin's Power Ratings
Wisconsin's Power Rating: 2.86  #52
Wisconsin's Offense Rating: 11.73  #62
Wisconsin's Defense Rating: 13.87  #44
2026 Talent Rating: 828.00  #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Wisconsin's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Wisconsin's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -4.4  #85
Wisconsin's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.4  #122
Wisconsin's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9  #34

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Wisconsin: 2.86   Penn State: 17.565

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Wisconsin: -4.4   Penn State: 18.1




Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 17.565  #24
Penn State's Offense Rating: 16.98  #26
Penn State's Defense Rating: 9.95  #25
2026 Talent Rating: 828.00  #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Penn State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Penn State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 18.1  #15
Penn State's Offense SP+ Rating: 35.1  #17
Penn State's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.8  #22

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Wisconsin Scoring
Offense: 12.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 9
Defense: 21.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 26.2

Wisconsin's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Penn State 31
Wisconsin 12

Projected Total Points: 43
Penn State Scoring
Offense: 31 PPG
Offense at Home: 34
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.1

Penn State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202410/26Wisconsin13Penn State28Penn State -6.5Penn State47.0Under
202109/04Wisconsin10Penn State16Wisconsin -5.5Penn State48.5Under
201811/10Penn State22Wisconsin10Penn State -7.5Penn State52.0Under
201612/03Penn State38Wisconsin31Wisconsin -1Penn State47.0Over
201311/30Wisconsin24Penn State31Wisconsin -23.5Penn State0
201211/24Penn State24Wisconsin21
201111/26Wisconsin45Penn State7
200810/11Wisconsin7Penn State48
200710/13Penn State38Wisconsin7
200611/04Wisconsin13Penn State3
200511/05Penn State35Wisconsin14
200409/25Wisconsin16Penn State3
200310/04Penn State23Wisconsin30
200210/05Wisconsin31Penn State34
200109/22Penn State6Wisconsin18
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Penn State1051 Overs
Wisconsin503 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams8 - 72 - 31 - 21 - 1
Road Teams7 - 83 - 21 - 12 - 1

(#52) WIS at (#24) PSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWISPSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #52 #24
SP+SP+ #85 #15
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #45 #45
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Penn State Notes
(1/27) Campbell leads Iowa State east in Happy Valley
(1/27) Likely have the easiest schedule in the Big Ten
Penn State Injury Report
Wisconsin on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
WIS OffPSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #130 #62
ExplosiveExp #75 #18
PPAPPA #132 #50
PowerPwr #62 #25
SP+SP+ #122 #22
Pts POPPO #135 #37
HavocHav #119 #63
Wisconsin Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
WIS OffPSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #132 #94
Run ExplRExp #34 #55
PPAExp #107 #75
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #91 #84
Stuff RateStuff #72 #77
TackleTak - NR
Wisconsin Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
WIS OffPSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #108 #36
Pass ExplPExl #105 #26
PPAExp #131 #40
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #121 #34
DB HavocDB #95 #101
Penn State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffWIS Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #26 #110
ExplosiveExp #100 #20
PPAPPA #32 #88
PowerPwr #26 #44
SP+SP+ #17 #34
Pts POPPO #25 #25
HavocHav #39 #120
Penn State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffWIS Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #33 #92
Run ExplRExp #52 #16
PPAExp #25 #42
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #38 #43
Stuff RateStuff #35 #24
TackleTak - NR
Penn State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffWIS Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #32 #118
Pass ExplPExl #111 #11
PPAExp #53 #106
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #47 #89
DB HavocDB #25 #133
Program Comparison
PSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

WIS 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'26 Profile: Down to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Beaver Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Penn State beat Wisconsin in 2024 (28-13)

  
WIS's OC Jeff Grimes (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Colton Joseph (Tr)17328860%261921109.1
Danny O'Neil619068%635557.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Colton Joseph (Tr)1571011136.478
Abu Sama III (Tr)14173255.244
Darrion Dupree8336324.484
Gideon Ituka6025504.318
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Vinny Anthony31391112.667
Shamar Rigby (Tr)25351114.048
Ryan Schwendeman (Tr)15191212.749
Jacob Harris (Tr)1918259.638

View Wisconsin's Full Roster

WIS's DC Mike Tressel (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mason Posa574424
Cooper Catalano565111
Matthew Jung491000
Marvin Burks Jr. (Tr)492001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mason Posa574424
Junior Poyser (Tr)305420
Sebastian Cheeks246320
Cooper Catalano565111
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Javan Robinson (Tr)423008
Mason Posa574424
Eric Fletcher (Tr)122002

PSU's OC Taylor Mouser (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Rocco Becht (Tr)20433761%25651697.6
Alex Manske (Tr)4580%28005.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Carson Hansen (Tr)18795065.165
James Peoples (Tr)6134435.649
Rocco Becht (Tr)8711181.325
Quinton Martin Jr.2010305.221
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Brett Eskildsen (Tr)30526517.575
Chase Sowell (Tr)32500215.652
Benjamin Brahmer (Tr)37446612.127
Keith Jones31438414.148

View Penn State's Full Roster

PSU's DC D’Anton Lynn (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Marcus Neal7711133
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343
Jamison Patton (Tr)481003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343
Tony Rojas255221
Yvan Kemajou135231
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Daryus Dixson242106
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343