The unbeaten No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers take on the No. 21 Penn State Nittany Lions in their Big Ten opener at Camp Randall this Saturday.
Wisconsin has a 5-0 record in nonconference play while Penn State comes in 0-1 Big Ten and 3-1 overall. Last weekend, the Lions fell victim to the Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0 Big Ten, 4-1 overall) 42-35 in overtime.
The Badgers are coming off a bye week, which many feel could disrupt the team's winning rhythm.
\I think I was worried about that, when you have a rhythm,"" said Head Coach Barry Alvarez of the time off. ""Two of our better years here were seasons where we had eleven straight games.""
Because this weekend is the first conference matchup for the Badgers, preparation has been a bit different.
""There's no doubt the intensity level will be picked up,"" senior quarterback Brooks Bollinger, who needs one more win to become Wisconsin's all-time winningest quarterback, said. ""It's Big Ten and it's time to get the conference season rolling.""
""The coaches take [practice] up a notch in their tempo,"" Alvarez said. ""The players recognize that the coaches are doing things at a little different pace. There is more of a sense of urgency. All of that together, I think, puts more emphasis and more importance on the game.""
Not only is this the first conference game for the Badgers, but also the first game this season facing a nationally ranked opponent.
This Penn State team is among the best in the school's recent history.
""I would say they compare favorably to the good teams that I have seen,"" Alvarez said. ""All of their skilled players are excellent, big strapping guys. They can hurt you a lot of different ways.""
Sophomore quarterback Zack Mills leads the potent Nittany Lions offense, and in the words of Alvarez, ""does everything well.""
Last week against Iowa, Mills set a school record for passing yards in a single game with 399. Mills also went 23-44 with four touchdowns and two interceptions which helped him become Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week.
Mills isn't the Badgers' only concern, though.
""I am impressed with all their skilled players,"" Alvarez said. ""They are very versatile.""
Another big threat comes in the form of the ""Johnson Trio.""
Larry, Bryant and Tony Johnson rank first through third, respectively, for Penn State in all-purpose yards and account for 75 percent of the team's output in this area. The three have also scored 12 of the Lions' 18 offensive touchdowns and 72 of Penn State's 151 points.
Also dangerous is redshirt freshman Michael Robinson. Robinson serves as Penn State's backup quarterback as well as running back and split end. Robinson has scored five touchdowns on only 20 carries this season. ""He is a guy that is a playmaker,"" Alvarez said. ""He can make things happen.""
The Badgers will have to counter the Lions' powerful offense with an equally powerful defense and a strong offense of their own.
Still missing from the Wisconsin offense will be star wide receiver Lee Evans. Brooks Bollinger will once again target redshirt freshman Jonathan Orr and true freshman Brandon Williams at wide receiver.
Though Evans has been sorely missed, the Badgers have still been able to produce a winning offense. ""[The offense] is different [without Evans,] but it's successful.""
The last meeting between Wisconsin and Penn State was Sept. 22, 2001, in Beaver Stadium ending in an 18-6 Badger victory. Wisconsin leads the all-time series 5-2. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ABC.
