Blue & White Roundtable :: Wisconsin week

Wisconsin hosts Penn State. Tangled Up in White and Blue
thought some questions were appropriate.

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1. What must Penn State do or not do to come out of Madison victorious?

ZN: Penn State needs to get out to an early lead, say 10-14 points. But it doesn't stop there. The biggest problem I see with Penn State is if they DO get out to that kind of lead. I greatly fear that Penn State will tighten up and play to keep that lead, rather than expand that lead. The coaches have to attack Wisconsin from the first kickoff to the last knee.

2. The Badgers are really down after dropping out of the rankings and losing their grip on a Big Ten title and a BCS Bowl. There is concern that the Badgers are emotionally spent and could collapse. Does Wisconsin bounce back and beat Penn State or do they collapse? Is there reason for panic in Madison?

ZN: There is absolutely reason for panic in cheese land. If Wisconsin loses to Penn State, the season is doomed. I don't mean no-BCS doomed, more like Alamo Bowl doomed. (Yes, we PSU fans want to forget that same feeling) I think Wisconsin plays hard this game, but won't have the firepower to keep up.

3. The Big Ten has a good crop of running backs this year including Wisconsin true freshman John Clay who is averaging 6.7 yards per carry. How much playing time does Clay see this week compared to P.J. Hill? How does our defense fare against them?

ZN: Wisconsin has never been a multi-back attack, and will have trouble coming up with an emergency plan to get Clay out there against the conference's best run defense. I would imagine Wisconsin will get some good runs in there, but not enough to set up the pass game. Hill is good, but he's not Evan Royster. Clay is good, but he's not Stephfon Green.

4. Between the third and fourth quarters the Wisconsin students do the "jump around", which shakes the stadium. How do you think the loud, jumping, night atmosphere will affect Penn State?

ZN: This used to be THE best night game atmosphere in the Big Ten. Until Penn State started winning in 2005. The Penn State players will be fine in this venue, especially knowing they can win, and should win this game.

Lightning Round
Predict the play calling. Do Galen and JayPa open up the offense or do they get conservative on the road?

ZN: Open Up. Pray, pray, they open up.

What are the odds Wisconsin loses two consecutive games at home?

ZN: 80 percent.

Does the Wisconsin band play this week?

ZN: Yup.

How many quarters does JoePa spend in the coaches box?

ZN: The game. No chances taken.