Reasons why Penn State has a slight advantage over Wisconsin.

The 2016 Big Ten Championship is a memorable game for Penn State fans. On that day, James Franklin achieved the pinnacle of his coaching career by leading the Nittany Lions to a 38-31 victory over the Badgers to secure the championship.

Although Wisconsin started strong, Trace McSorley’s four touchdown passes helped Penn State mount a comeback. This victory marked Penn State’s last appearance in the conference title game, while Wisconsin has made two appearances since.

Since then, the Nittany Lions and Badgers have met twice, with their latest encounter taking place in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2021. This game was a defensive battle, which Penn State won 16-10, featuring interceptions from Ji’Ayir Brown and Jaquan Brisker.

A total of 20 games have been played between Penn State and Wisconsin, with Penn State leading the series 11-9 and currently on a five-game winning streak.

The rivalry began in 1953 with Wisconsin’s 20-0 victory. Penn State secured its first win in 1996, edging out the Badgers 23-20. They followed up with another win the next year, but Wisconsin bounced back to claim victory in the third match, thanks to their 11-1 Rose Bowl-winning squad.

Joe Paterno didn’t have a chance to face the Badgers again until 2001, where, despite Wisconsin’s struggling five-win season, they managed to defeat the Nittany Lions 18-6.

As both teams continued their Big Ten rivalry, their matchups came to represent the conference’s style of play: tough on defense with a strong rushing offense.

In the history of their encounters, there have been 12 instances where a team was held to 10 points or fewer. Overall, Penn State has a slight edge in scoring, leading the series 414-397.

The matchups have also featured some of the best running backs in college football history, with Penn State showcasing talents like Saquon Barkley, Miles Sanders, and Curtis Enis, while Wisconsin has produced stars like Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon, and Jonathan Taylor.

Montee Ball’s performance against Penn State stands out above those of the other five players in the series. In the final game of the 2011 season, he carried the ball 25 times for 156 yards and scored four touchdowns.

Entering the matchup ranked No. 17, the Nittany Lions suffered a heavy defeat, losing 45-7. This victory capped off Wisconsin’s impressive season, where they won the Big Ten Championship but ultimately fell to Oregon in a thrilling Rose Bowl.

This game also marked Russell Wilson’s only appearance against Penn State. Following two previous blowout losses, this match was Wisconsin’s last victory over the Nittany Lions. Since then, Penn State has dominated the rivalry, with Wisconsin winning only three times in the past two decades.

As the Nittany Lions prepare to extend their winning streak this Saturday, they face a tough challenge at Camp Randall Stadium, a venue where few teams find success. Penn State holds a 5-6 record in Madison and will aim to level that statistic during NBC’s Saturday Night Football broadcast.