Penn State head coach James Franklin provided a thorough analysis of Wisconsin, highlighting specific players who have caught his attention.

Penn State head coach James Franklin spoke with the media on Monday about his team’s upcoming primetime clash against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday and broadcast on NBC, this game is crucial for both teams’ chances for the remainder of the season. Wisconsin needs a win to maintain its momentum and potentially enter the Big Ten title race. On the other hand, Penn State must secure a victory to keep its perfect record intact before facing No. 4 Ohio State next Saturday.

The circumstances for each team heading into Saturday are quite different. The Badgers just achieved a hard-fought road victory over Northwestern last Saturday, while the Nittany Lions enjoyed a bye week. This rest difference could play out in various ways: Penn State will be fresh but may also be looking ahead to their significant matchup with the Buckeyes. Meanwhile, Wisconsin, having played four consecutive games, is carrying positive momentum.

Ultimately, the outcome of Saturday’s game will likely hinge on which team excels in critical areas, as is often the case in such matchups.

During his media session on Monday, Franklin also shared insights about Penn State’s bye week and provided a thorough analysis of Wisconsin, highlighting specific players who have caught his attention.

On Wisconsin’s Program and Head Coach Luke Fickell:
“Wisconsin has a rich history, and I have great respect for their head coach, Luke Fickell. He’s been involved with the Big Ten for most of his career, both as a player and a coach. He’s done an excellent job wherever he’s been.”

On the Badgers’ Current Form:
“In the past three weeks, they’ve really showcased their best football. It’s evident from watching the tape that they’re playing cleaner and working hard. It’s impressive to see.”

On Badgers Offensive Coordinator Phil Longo:
“Phil Longo, their offensive coordinator, is a local talent who began his coaching career at East Stroudsburg. He has done a fantastic job, especially during his time at North Carolina, and has been at Wisconsin for the last couple of years. He comes from a background focused on spread offense, RPOs, and tempo, but he’s adapted. Being at Wisconsin and working with Luke Fickell has led to a clear commitment to the running game, though it’s perhaps approached differently than the traditional Wisconsin style. Regardless, it remains very effective.”

On Wisconsin’s Offense:
“We’ve been really impressed with their quarterback, Braedyn Locke, who transferred from Mississippi State. Their running back, Tawee Walker, who is No. 3 and transferred from Oklahoma, has also caught our attention. Additionally, their wide receiver No. 8, Vinny Anthony, has been impressive to watch. Overall, they’re executing some really effective plays.”

On Badgers Defensive Coordinator Mike Tressel:
“On the defensive side, Mike Tressel is the defensive coordinator, having spent a significant amount of time at Michigan State. You can see some similarities in how Michigan State played over the years and how Wisconsin is currently performing. Of course, they’ve made some adjustments, but they’re playing very well defensively right now under Coach Tressel’s leadership.”

On Wisconsin’s Top Defenders:
“Some standout players on their defense include No. 24 Hunter Wohler, the safety, linebacker No. 7 Jaheim Thomas, who transferred from Arkansas, cornerback No. 2 Ricardo Hallman, who led the nation in interceptions last year, and defensive end No. 8 Leon Lowery, a transfer from Syracuse.”

On Wisconsin’s Strong Special Teams Unit:
“On special teams, Matt Mitchell has really made an impact. Last week, they excelled in that area against Northwestern, affecting the game in multiple ways. Their punter, No. 49 Atticus Bertrams, who hails from Australia, does a great job in various aspects. Additionally, their kick returner, No. 8 Vinny Anthony, has been performing well as a return specialist.”

On Penn State’s Bye Week and Focus on Wisconsin:
“The bye week was beneficial, allowing us to accomplish a lot. We did extensive self-scouting and focused heavily on recruiting as well. This is a crucial week for us. We had a solid practice on Sunday with a slightly different practice model since we didn’t have a previous game to analyze for corrections. This gave us a chance to get a head start on preparing for Wisconsin.”