There is a certain mystique associated with Happy Valley and Penn State, and Wisconsin will experience this firsthand Saturday when the Badgers take on the Nittany Lions.
Between a stadium that holds 100,000-plus faithful Nittany Lion fans and Head Coach Joe Paterno, who is a legendary figure in college sports, many Badgers such as senior linebacker Alex Lewis will see a childhood dream come true this weekend.
\Growing up as a little kid I always dreamed about [playing at Happy Valley] and now it's a reality,"" Lewis said.
That does not change his job.
""I'm going to enjoy it while I'm there, but I know that I'm there to win,"" he added.
After a victory to open the Big Ten season, Wisconsin once again hits the road to face the team that ended its five-game winning streak last year. This group of Nittany Lions is a far different team from last year's group, which included big defensive backs and key receivers and was one of the top teams in the Big Ten.
This year's group has struggled to find its identity after the loss of a lot of its big-name players and has begun the season 2-3 overall.
Just as PSU is a different team, so are the Badgers, who have had a good deal of success with the running game, especially, during last weekend's 38-20 victory over the Fighting Illini. Compared to the 92 yards to which the Badgers were limited last year against Penn State, this year's team is expected to surpass that with ease. By dominating on the ground and currently ranking second in the conference and ninth in the nation at 220.2 yards per game, the UW offense is showing signs of being one of the best in the country.
""We'll do whatever it takes to win the game,"" Offensive Coordinator Brian White said.
With injuries abundant for UW, it will be important for the Badgers to remain healthy this weekend, especially with Ohio State looming ahead.
After the announcement of Erasmus James' absence this season, as well as injuries to junior defensive back Brett Bell and freshman defensive back Joe Stellmacher, who broke his leg against Illinois last weekend, Wisconsin has been looking for some good news. That seems to have come with word that junior running back Anthony Davis, who sat out the last two games, has been practicing. White said the team is anticipating his return this weekend.
""He's been practicing through the week under the direction of the coaches and he's progressing right on schedule,"" White said. ""We anticipate that he'll be able to play.""
Penn State suffered its own bad luck with an injury to quarterback Zack Mills. It will start backup Michael Robinson, who went 17-of-28 for 178 yards and two interceptions after Mills left last Saturday's game against Minnesota with a knee injury. Robinson is considered a more mobile quarterback than Mills. In Saturday's 20-14 loss, he ran 12 times for 42 yards.
""He's a guy that they've tried to get the ball in his hands because he's such a good athlete and he's such a threat,"" Head Coach Barry Alvarez said. ""He threw the ball pretty well against Minnesota, so he presents a lot of problems and basically, you're adding another runner into their running game.""
Lewis said his plan has not changed regardless of whether Robinson or Mills will play.
""I respect [Mills] as a player, but even with Zack Mills, you have to look at everybody the same,"" he said. ""How am I going to stop [Robinson]? By laying the hell out of him.\
