Black Shoe Diaries - Penn State (6-5) at Wisconsin (9-2)DOMINATE THE STATEhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47529/blackshoediaries_fave.png2013-11-30T20:22:00-05:00http://www.blackshoediaries.com/rss/stream/49149852013-11-30T20:22:00-05:002013-11-30T20:22:00-05:00The Future Is Here: Penn State 31, Wisconsin 24
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<figcaption>Mike McGinnis</figcaption>
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<p>Holy hell, did that just happen?</p> <p>We were all doubters. Jared <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/29/5145972/penn-state-wisconsin-game-preview" target="_blank">doubted in his preview.</a> Adam, Dan and I <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/29/5157190/black-friday-shoe-podcast-wisconsin-badgers-episode-1-12" target="_blank">doubted in this week's podcast</a>. The rest of the BSD staff <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/29/5156472/bsd-prediction-roundtable-wisconsin" target="_blank">doubted in the BSD roundtable</a>. For all of us, it wasn't a matter of if Penn State would lose to Wisconsin--it was a matter of how much. And that belief wasn't unfounded; this squad was 0-3 in true road games, with losses to Indiana and Minnesota, and wasn't even in the game versus the only other ranked opponent it faced--on the wrong end of a massive beat down in Columbus.</p>
<p>I'm sure I can speak for all of us when I say, I've never been more ecstatic to be <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/11/30/5161124/wisconsin-penn-state-2013-final-score-game-recap">proven so wrong</a>.</p>
<p>I came into the game today hoping against all hope that PSU would look competitive. Hoping that we wouldn't lose by more than three scores. I mean, take a look at <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/27/5150948/just-the-stats-penn-state-at-wisconsin" target="_blank">these stats</a>--not exactly encouraging, right? But Bill O'Brien laughs in the face of your statistics. Here's how Penn State fared versus Wisconsin's year to date numbers:</p>
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<th></th> <th>Wisconsin YTD</th> <th>Wisconsin vs PSU</th>
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<td>Total Yards offense</td>
<td>489.3</td>
<td>459</td>
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<td>Passing yards offense</td>
<td>191.5</td>
<td>339</td>
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<td>Rushing yards offense</td>
<td>297.8</td>
<td>120</td>
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<td>3rd downs defense</td>
<td>29.30%</td>
<td>38.46%</td>
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<td>Total Yards defense</td>
<td>278.5</td>
<td>465</td>
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<td>Passing yards defense</td>
<td>179.4</td>
<td>339</td>
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<td>Rushing yards defense</td>
<td>99.1</td>
<td>126</td>
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<td>Turnover margin</td>
<td>+.5</td>
<td>-3</td>
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<p>Wisconsin gave up 36 points all season at home, TOTAL, before today's game. Penn State scored 31 today. Take that, doubters (and yes, I include myself in that).</p>
<p>And, unlike Cory Giger, I'm going to give credit where it's due. No, Wisconsin didn't play well today--but Penn State did. They out-executed Wisconsin when it counted. They had the Badgers on their heels, defensively, for much of the game; Wisconsin looked like it hadn't game planned well, or watched film on our offense, for much of the first three quarters. One of the themes of this season has been inconsistency, and the up and down roller coaster ride of this year culminated in good execution on both sides of the ball--special teams miscues, of course, notwithstanding (though, thankfully, none backbreakers, and none of the TD variety).</p>
<p>This was the first game that Penn State played without a turnover, and it showed. PSU notched not just the longest play, yardage wise, that this top-ten Wisconsin defense had given up all-season--they recorded the top three.</p>
<p>This was one of very few games that Penn state played this year in which <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142582/allen-robinson" class="sbn-auto-link">Allen Robinson</a> had no touchdowns, and it makes me much more confident in the future--not that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/215213/christian-hackenberg" class="sbn-auto-link">Christian Hackenberg</a> didn't get Robinson his touches, as A Rob understandably led all receivers with 122 yards on eight catches. But he spread it out well, got his tight ends involved, throwing to seven different Nittany Lions and notching four TDs with no picks.</p>
<p>The biggest beneficiary of Hack's increased willingness to check down was undoubtedly sophomore Geno Lewis, who had a career night of 91 yards on three catches and two TDs. As mentioned above, as well, the three starting TEs (Kyle Carter, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159722/jesse-james" class="sbn-auto-link">Jesse James</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/204457/adam-breneman" class="sbn-auto-link">Adam Breneman</a>) combined for seven catches and two TDs themselves; and taking pressure off of the run game was <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak" class="sbn-auto-link">Zach Zwinak</a>, who averaged a whopping 5.2 ypc on 22 carries--including a season-long 61 yarder to nearly ice the game with two minutes to go.</p>
<p>It was the most complete offensive game we've seen all year, and it wasn't even close.</p>
<p>Defensively, of course, you never want to see your team give up over 400 yards of offense, but...and there's always a but. But there were three takeaways, and they stopped the Wisconsin offense when it mattered, and where it mattered--the scoreboard. The Badgers came into today averaging over 36 points per game. The Penn State defense allowed them to score only 24.</p>
<p>The Badger O-line averaged a sack per game. I can't find the exact stats, but I know that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132124/joel-stave" class="sbn-auto-link">Joel Stave</a> was sacked at least twice--and he was on his ass at the end of nearly every pass play, with pressure being generate from all across the defensive line. It's been a few months since a Penn State defense has been able to apply pressure to a quarterback without creative blitzes--yet that's exactly what happened this week, with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114128/kyle-baublitz" class="sbn-auto-link">Kyle Baublitz</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142597/anthony-zettel" class="sbn-auto-link">Anthony Zettel</a> and CJ Olaniyan in Stave's face on nearly every play, getting into his head and continually causing him to overthrow wide-open eighth year senior Jared Abbredaris.</p>
<p>The Penn State defense often stacked the box, holding the Wisconsin offense to less than half of its normal yardage on the ground, daring Stave to beat them through the air. He kind of did, sometimes, but not when it counted--and that proved to be a successful game plan. It worked--he had 53 pass attempts (6.39 per attempt), contrasted with Hack's same number of yards in almost half the attempts. He was rattled, and he threw three picks, including the game clincher to Ryan Keiser--Keiser's second this season.</p>
<p>This was perhaps the most complete game we've seen this year; even special teams, which weren't that special, were by no means the obvious liability they were last week. Yes, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/141952/sam-ficken" class="sbn-auto-link">Sam Ficken</a> was 1 of 3 on field goals, and nearly had two XPs blocked. But, frankly, I'd rather take that than the blown kickoff coverages of the last two weeks, and I like the confidence O'Brien showed in Ficken. The way that Penn State was controlling the game from start to finish, the game shouldn't have come down to Ficken's right foot. And it rightfully didn't.</p>
<p>I don't do grades like Devon; if I did, I'd probably be criticized for being overly generous. So be it. I'm excited. Expletive-filled, couch-jumping, screaming my love to the world excited.</p>
<p>One of my friends (you know her as PSU Girl) tweeted that this game reminded her of 2004 Michigan State. You may or may not remember that game; that game was right after the Indiana goal line stand, the game after the game that everyone points to as the turnaround from the dark years. PSU went from that goal line stand back home, on senior day, taking on a 5-6 MSU squad that, on paper, was worlds better than the Penn State squad it was facing. And the Nittany Lions dominated them in every way that counted--especially in terms of turnovers, and went on to win 31-13, ending their season on a decisive victory. And then we all know what happened next.</p>
<p>The 2013 season is over. We spent all season seeing glimpses of where this program was headed, what it could be in seasons to come. Today, we saw more of it than I'd even hoped. And I, for one, couldn't be more excited about what the future of Penn State football is going to be. And what it is.</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/30/5161246/the-future-is-here-penn-state-31-wisconsin-24Cari Greene2013-11-30T17:58:01-05:002013-11-30T17:58:01-05:00Penn State-Wisconsin 4th Quarter Open Thread
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<figcaption>Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Love ya, Lions.</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/30/5145818/penn-state-wisconsin-4th-quarter-open-threadJared Slanina2013-11-29T12:00:07-05:002013-11-29T12:00:07-05:00Brief Interviews With Hideous Men: Wisconsin
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<figcaption>Hannah Foslien</figcaption>
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<p>Penn State heads to Madison for its season finale Saturday. We talked with a Badger Blogger all about it.</p> <p>Wisconsin is a very good football team. Penn State is less so. Andrew Rosin, of <a href="http://buckys5thquarter.com">Bucky's 5th Quarter</a> was generous enough to take some time away from his Thanksgiving holiday to enlighten us all on just how good the Badgers are. We are thankful for his time.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>BSD: </b>From an outsider's perspective, it seems like Wisconsin has been hideously underranked all season long, considering its only losses were thanks to an officiating failure at Arizona State and by a TD at Ohio State. How have Badger fans been handling the disrespect?</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>B5Q: </b>How good do you think this team really is? Badger fans have been handling the disrespect with the same grumbling stoicism that happens when a winter just won't go away or a driver from another state does something to impede your progress much less kill you. It's the choice you make when you willfully schedule UMass and a below .500 FCS team. Sometimes the rankings are slow to recognize your greatness and are going to give you a bad time. And as for how good I think this team really is? I think they somehow got a rematch with Ohio State, they could beat them. Jacob Pederson and a couple of offensive linemen didn't play, and the secondary's improved by leaps and bounds since. So you know, I like them a little.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>BSD: </b>It seems like the first year of the Gary Andersen era couldn't be going much better. How does he differ from Bret Bielema, aside from lacking the propensity to be photographed shirtless? (#karma?)</p>
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<p><b>B5Q: </b>For one, he's recruiting on a national level and it seems to be working. The Badgers have a potential starter from day one at receiver from Georgia for the 2014 class as well as getting a running back from South Carolina. They're in on major recruits in California and Oregon as well. Most Badger fans have been in a lassiez-faire "let's see how they develop" sort of attitude with the recruiting classes under the previous regime. This year? There's expectations for 2014. This may be the BEST RECRUITING CLASS EVER for whatever that's worth. On the field, the smartest thing Gary Andersen did was very little. The Badgers are passing more, but it's still a team that lives by the run. In fact, you might say the only thing that changed from what made the Badgers successful is that they'll attack on defense more and they use a running back semi-heavily in the passing game.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>BSD:</b> Another year, another two (maybe three?) Wisconsin running backs putting together breakout seasons. Give us a scouting report on James White and Melvin Gordon, and an explanation as to how UW just keeps churning out star rushers.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>James White is severely underrated. He helped keep defenders off of Jared Abbrederis almost by himself at the start of the year with his hands in the receiving game. He's not as physically gifted as Melvin Gordon, but he gives you a little bit of everything running wise. Good vision, a decent amount of power for his size, and he'll hit the hole hard. He's been climbing up the draft boards every week since the Iowa game with the way he's been running. Melvin Gordon: I've said he's the most physically gifted running back the Badgers have had in the modern era, and it's true for a reason. You saw a flash of it on that shovel pass last year. He has good speed that seems great because he gets to top speed quickly. He's also a fluid runner that won't shy away from between the tackles work when teams start selling out to not look so foolish on the jet sweeps. Explanation? There's no major secret. The Badgers have been developing professional level offensive linemen for the past two decades, and the Badgers level of brutal efficiency is based on the running backs they get. Right now? It's pretty close to optimal.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>BSD:</b> Joel Stave won the QB job in the offseason, and hasn't looked back since. In a run-heavy offense, what has he been asked to do, and is he the QB of the future, or will top--JuCo-QB-turned-safety Tanner McEvoy give him a run for his money?</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>B5Q: </b>The expectations are basically that he has to be efficient. Scott Tolzien levels off efficiency work best, but if you can keep the defense thinking that someone's going to be able to go over the top. That can be enough to pull the defense off of selling out to stop the run. The second question can be tricky to answer. Gary Andersen has a propensity to desire a mobile quarterback, which Stave isn't. But Tanner McEvoy has become an integral piece of the secondary in the off time. He might be out of the race. I'd say yes, but the future could well change right quick if D.J. Gillins or Austin Kafentzis seem ready.</p>
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<p><b>BSD:</b> Outside of Chris Borland. the defense doesn't get as much credit as the Badgers offense. Who are some other players key to the Big Ten's #2 total and scoring defense? And how has the transition to a 3-4 defense been going?</p>
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<p><b>B5Q: </b>Beau Allen is the perfect two-gap nose guard. He can collapse a pocket if he goes one-on-one, but he fronts the defensive line, which has allowed Chris Borland to shine. Brendan Kelly's been disruptive and scary good this month off the edge, he's someone you need to watch out for. Three pieces in the secondary warrant mentioning. Sojourn Shelton's a true freshman who's shown himself as a worthy starter from moment one as a Badger. He will be a star barring injury or mistake. Michael Caputo has been almost a fifth linebacker with his performance at safety. He's second on the team in tackles, but he's playing downhill and he's just a sophomore. Tanner McEvoy's doing stuff at safety that well, and when you're that big and athletic, that just plain causes havoc. The good news was that the front seven was kind of tailor-made to make the transition easy. Kelly was the other defensive end in the 4-3, and he was the only position switch. Otherwise, look at the numbers. It's going pretty well.</p>
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<p><b>BSD:</b> In order for Penn State to win, what has to go wrong for Wisconsin, aside from "everything"?</p>
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<p><b>B5Q: </b>Two things will help Penn State spoil. One, you need a major sequence to shake the Badgers. A deep touchdown to Allen Robinson plus a pick six. Two, your running backs can't put the ball on the carpet. If you can win the push in the trenches, and yes that's easier said than done, you cannot fumble. Do this, and you can make this a game instead of what Vegas thinks its going to be.</p>
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<p><b>BSD:</b> How do you see this one shaping up?</p>
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<p><b>B5Q: </b>I think this is going to be a game that shows ChristIan Hackenberg that there are still steps he has to take to improve. I think the Badgers are going to effectively stifle the running game, and contain Allen Robinson, at least for a while. You will keep it closer than you expect at halftime, but the Badgers pull away in the second half. Badgers 35, Penn State 7.</p>
<p><i>Thanks again, Andrew! Happy Black Friday everyone! Read Bucky's 5th Quarter!</i></p>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/29/5157298/brief-interviews-with-hideous-men-wisconsindevon20122013-11-29T11:31:03-05:002013-11-29T11:31:03-05:00Black (Friday) Shoe Podcast - Wisconsin Badgers -
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<figcaption>Justin K. Aller</figcaption>
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<p>The #BlackShoePodcast returns to discuss all things Nebraska and Wisconsin, and wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Eve and Day!</p> <p>A #BlackShoePodcast on Black Friday! This week, Penn State comes off a tough overtime loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/nebraska-cornhuskers">Nebraska Cornhuskers</a>, chows down on some turkey and stuffing, and heads to Camp Randall Stadium to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/wisconsin-badgers">Wisconsin Badgers</a> in the 2013 season finale!</p>
<p>In BSP episode twelve, Adam, Cari and Dan return to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/" target="_blank" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Blog Talk Radio</a> after a several week hiatus to discuss all of the storylines leading into this Saturday's 3:30 kickoff! Some fun things to take note of:</p>
<ul>
<li>#TROUBLE - 52-ish minutes in.</li>
<li>The hosts wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, but perhaps more importantly, a Happy Thanksgiving Eve. Apparently they were doing it up big in Lubbock.<br>
</li>
<li>A Nebraska game recap. Mostly excellent play calling from Bill O'Brien, plenty of execution issues from a young offense, and a defense that played mostly well against a solid offensive football team.</li>
<li>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114114/zach-zwinak">Zach Zwinak</a> played remarkably well (and proved us all wrong), but we all missed Bill Belton's presence this week.</li>
<li>We only touch briefly on "Big Ten Officiating Follies" this week, and discuss two major calls - the completely absurd personal foul on Amir Abdullah's (just kidding) touchdown run, and the pass interference call at the end of regulation against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159713/jordan-lucas">Jordan Lucas</a>.<br>
</li>
<li>Cari, Dan and I preview and make our "official" predictions for this weekend's game against Wisconsin, where the Nittany Lions are 24 (yes, really) point dogs. What does Penn State have to do to cover the spread this weekend?<br>
</li>
</ul>
<div>All that and more on this episode of the #BlackShoePodcast!</div>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/black-shoe-podcast-blog-talk/id687089782?mt=2" target="_blank">Subscribe and Download us from iTunes here</a> or listen to us in the embedded player below</p>
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https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/29/5157190/black-friday-shoe-podcast-wisconsin-badgers-episode-1-12Adam Collyer2013-11-29T11:00:15-05:002013-11-29T11:00:15-05:00BSD Prediction Roundtable: Wisconsin
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<img alt="BERT! Gone but not forgotten." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BA4pkHeZas6q5OFHyZNON7PKjjw=/559x336:2368x1542/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24149947/20120915_tjg_sh5_014.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>BERT! Gone but not forgotten. | Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The staff looks into their crystal ball for results against the Badgers.</p> <p>I'm going to honest, outside of their game against Ohio State and the clusterfuck at the end against Arizona State, I haven't watched any of Wisconsin. They're good and they no longer have a walking punchline at the helm, so it's not as much fun to watch them. Unfortunately, this won't be much of a contest, I'm hoping Penn State can keep it respectable unlike the road trips out to Indiana or Ohio State this year. The offense can probably put up a few points, but Wisconsin will abuse the defense with Abbrederis.</p>
<p>In other news, Ohio State opened as a 14-point favorite against Michigan, Wisconsin over Penn State opened ten points higher, and Urban Meyer will lap that easily destroying the Wolverines to impress voters and embarrass their rival.</p>
<p><i>Wisconsin 52 - 27</i></p>
<p><b>bscaff:</b> Nope - I'm pulling a "Billy". You, friends, can yell for me to "get to da chop-ah!", but I'm not going. I'm gonna stand bare chested on a giant log spanning a bottomless gorge, drag a 16-inch knife across my chest, and wait for the big, ugly, alien sonnofabitch to fight me. And I will lose.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1942409/Predator_Billy_4.gif"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1942409/Predator_Billy_4_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Predator_billy_4_medium"></a></p>
<p>via <a href="http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z307/tyrone_006/Predator_Billy_4.gif">i192.photobucket.com</a></p>
<p><i> Wisconsin 34 - 17</i></p>
<p><b>Bill:</b> BARF. I have zero faith in Penn State on Saturday. I'm not totally sure why, but I don't. Maybe it's because Wisconsin is insanely good. Like, they could be 11-0 right now if they didn't get screwed out of the Arizona State game/if they didn't derp away the Ohio State game (NOTE: they didn't derp away the OSU game, the Buckeyes are just better, I just really hate OSU).</p>
<p>I wholly expect Melvin Gordon to go off against Penn State's defense. He's a bad, bad man, and everyone knows that being a running back for Wisconsin guarantees you run behind a monster o-line. Look for Gordon and James White to plow through the Nittany Lion defense early and often, and for the two of them to control the game for Wisconsin/wear down Penn State's defense. As for the offense, I think Allen Robinson gets 11 receptions, giving him 100 on the year, and...um...that's it. But hey, Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak will be alright!</p>
<p>Since this is the last game of the year, I want something especially awful to happen to Nick. So I wish the most awful thing I can think of: Nick cuts his finger and accidentally gets lemon juice in it. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAH</p>
<p><i>Wisconsin 44 - 24</i></p>
<p><b>From the Preview:</b></p>
<p><b>Jared:</b> <i>Wisconsin 42 - 17</i></p>
<p><b>From the Podcast:</b></p>
<p><b>Dan:</b> <i>Wisconsin 49 - 14</i></p>
<p><b>Cari:</b> <i>Wisconsin 41 - 14</i></p>
<p><b>Adam:</b><i> Wisconsin 35 - 14</i></p>
<blockquote>
<a data-lang="en" data-show-count="true" class="twitter-follow-button" href="https://twitter.com/BSDtweet">Follow @BSDtweet on Twitter</a><br>And join us on<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Shoe-Diaries/161813843845442"> Facebook</a><br>All BSD community members should review our current <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/6/5/3066778/commenting-and-posting-policy-for-bsd">Posting & Commenting Policies</a> before creating any posts or commenting.</blockquote>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/29/5156472/bsd-prediction-roundtable-wisconsinNick Blonde2013-11-27T10:51:14-05:002013-11-27T10:51:14-05:00Know Your Foe: Wisconsin Badgers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ut-WJlcLkDJCXi4kvoux0fk9C9I=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24036435/450051629.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike McGinnis</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Wisconsin run game is one of the best in the nation, and that alone could spell doom for the Nittany Lions on Saturday.</p> <h3>This Season: 9-2 (6-1)</h3>
<p>Just nine points stand between Wisconsin and an 11-0 season. As you might recall, the Badgers fell in strange fashion to Arizona St. in Tempe, and despite a rather comprehensive Ohio State performance, Gary Anderson's team narrowed the gap to a single touchdown before the final whistle had blown. Bucky has been perfect at home with a scoring margin of 247-36. They've feasted on the likes of Indiana, Purdue, Northwestern, and other low-quality opponents at Camp Randall, though that shouldn't exactly inspire confidence in you, Mr. "fan of a 6-5 team."</p>
<h3>Offense</h3>
<p>QB Joel Stave has been, shall we say, a "game manager plus" for Wisky this season. 17 TDs and 9 INTs is certainly respectable, and while his 7.69 YPA figure likely doesn't strike fear into opposing defensive coordinators, that's okay - the running back Hydra of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135206/melvin-gordon" class="sbn-auto-link">Melvin Gordon</a>, James White and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/214791/corey-clement" class="sbn-auto-link">Corey Clement</a> will. The trio have combined for over 3,000 yards on the ground through 11 games for an average of 288 yards per contest. Penn State's defense has had some success against the run this season (the win over Michigan stands out, obviously), but to expect the Lion defense to even contain these three would be asking too much. Between the big hosses on the line and the horses in the backfield, Wisconsin doesn't need to disguise their gameplan to be successful. They're gonna run the ball, and it's up to you to stop them.</p>
<p>When Stave does get the chance to throw, he'll have one of the better receivers in recent B1G history as a target. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77770/jared-abbrederis" class="sbn-auto-link">Jared Abbrederis</a> is like <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142582/allen-robinson" class="sbn-auto-link">Allen Robinson</a> in the sense that his quarterback will depend on him for much of the passing offense. The senior is responsible for 35% of the team's catches and 43% of their receiving yards. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77783/jacob-pedersen" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacob Pedersen</a> is really the only other threat on the flanks for the Badgers, and White will likely get a few catches out of the backfield, but the lesson remains - what you see is what you get with this offense.</p>
<h3>Defense</h3>
<p>The tenacious Badger defense has allowed more than three scores just three times this year. BYU was the only team to reach that checkpoint in Madison, and even that statistic was aided by a garbage-time TD. Camp Randall has been a fortress in 2013 - remember how Indiana put up 44 on Penn State and, more impressively, 28 points at Michigan State? The Hoosiers were limited to one measly field goal last week. The biggest advantage for Wisconsin's defense is how little they see the field - the Badgers average over 34 minutes of possession a game, tied for third best in FBS.</p>
<p>Linebacker Chris Borland is one of the best in college football, and despite his height he leads the Badgers in tackles (92 total) and will likely be taken in the middle of April's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NFL Draft</a>. The Badgers perhaps don't generate as much of a pass rush as you would expect from a defense that plays with a lead so often, but they are tied with Penn State for 41st most in the country (25).</p>
<h3>Special Teams</h3>
<p>Nothing much to see here, other than the fact that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jack_russell_793393.html">THEIR KICKER IS A CUTE WITTLE PUPPY DOG AWWWWWWW</a></p>
<h3>Last Game (20-7 W at Minnesota)</h3>
<p>Bucky was victimized by the Gophers' havoc-wreaking defense early in the second quarter to jump out to a 7-3 lead but the visitors rebounded by dominating, you guessed it, on the ground. Gordon and White combined for 194 as they slid past their hosts. Stave capped it off with a touchdown pass to Abbrederis to complete the comeback and set the Badgers up with a chance to get to 10 wins for the fourth time in five years.</p>
<h3>Gambling Advice From a Degenerate</h3>
<p>Back with a new pair of socks to give his final words on the Penn State football gambling season, the highly comparable <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Kunk7">Kunk7</a>:</p>
<p><i>Oh man, it’s the last week of the season? Already? Guess that means it’s time for the gambling season in review. Not surprisingly, Penn State struggled against the spread this year, as the somewhat lofty expectations placed on this young team were a bit too...um...lofty? The Nittany Lions head into their final game of 2013 at 6-5 straight up but only 4-7 against the spread. Last week’s loss to Nebraska also guaranteed PSU would stay under the 8 regular season wins the preseason betting line ‘forecasted’.</i></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3640835/png_base6474321324a1288be9.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Png_base6474321324a1288be9_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3640835/png_base6474321324a1288be9_medium.png"></a> <br id="1385567446032"></p>
<p><i>Like I had predicted a few weeks ago (see, I’m not always an idiot!), Wisconsin opened as a greater than 3 touchdown favorite this week. With the line currently at -24, it will be interesting to see if the Badgers get bet up even higher, which would be similar to what happened when Wisky closed at -27 versus Indiana two weeks ago. </i></p>
<p><i> As for a review of my picks, well, I didn’t actually<b> make</b> any picks, but we all know they would have been terrible had I done that. So I guess I’ll just close by saying Happy Thanksgiving and</i><a href="https://twitter.com/Kunk7" target="_blank"> follow me</a><i> on Twitter dot com for hot takes, #analysis, and general idiocy.</i></p>
<h3>Fun Fact</h3>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RyrV-AmwNHM" height="360" width="640"></iframe></p>
<h3>Blog You Should Also Be Reading This Week</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/" target="_blank">Bucky's 5th Quarter</a>, or as the kids say, B5Q. As thorough coverage you'd ever want or need about Wisconsin athletics and I'm not even being slightly sarcastic.</p>
<blockquote>
<a href="https://twitter.com/BSDtweet" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="true" data-lang="en">Follow @BSDtweet on Twitter</a><br>And join us on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Shoe-Diaries/161813843845442" target="_blank"> Facebook</a><br>All BSD community members should review our current <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/6/5/3066778/commenting-and-posting-policy-for-bsd" target="_blank">Posting & Commenting Policies</a> before creating any posts or commenting.</blockquote>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/27/5149632/know-your-foe-week-13-wisconsin-badgersChad Markulics2013-11-27T08:11:47-05:002013-11-27T08:11:47-05:00Just the Stats: Penn State at Wisconsin
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g6Ce3EdJQpf2ha1UX_jvITjwB9o=/0x34:4000x2701/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24044893/20131119_kkt_sh5_950.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>So...yeah.</p> <p align="center"><b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/penn-st-nittany-lions" class="sbn-auto-link">Penn St. Nittany Lions</a> (6-5; 3-4 Big Ten) at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/wisconsin-badgers">Wisconsin Badgers</a> </b><b>(9-2; 6-1 Big Ten)</b></p>
<p align="center"><b>3:30 p.m. ET, November 30, 2013--ESPN<br>Camp Randall Stadium (Capacity: 80,321</b><b> / Madison, WI)</b><br id="1381349505305"></p>
<p>
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<table class="tableizer-table"><tbody>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow">
<th>Penn State</th> <th>Value (Nat'l Rank)</th> <th>Value (Nat'l Rank)</th> <th>Wisconsin</th> <th>Advantage</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rushing Offense (ypg)</td>
<td>178.4 (58)</td>
<td>99.1 (7)</td>
<td>Rushing Defense (ypg)</td>
<td>
<a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Passing Offense (ypg)</td>
<td>251.9 (44)</td>
<td>179.4 (9)</td>
<td>Passing Defense (ypg)</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pass Efficiency</td>
<td>128.99 (66)<span></span>
</td>
<td>96.78 (3)</td>
<td>Pass Efficiency Defense</td>
<td>
<a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Total Offense (ypg)</td>
<td>430.3 (54)</td>
<td>278.5 (6)</td>
<td>Total Defense (ypg)</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scoring Offense (ppg)</td>
<td>28.5 (71)</td>
<td>13.4 (5)</td>
<td>Scoring Defense (ppg)</td>
<td>
<a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rushing Defense (ypg)</td>
<td>146.2 (38)</td>
<td>297.8 (8)</td>
<td>Rushing Offense (ypg)</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Passing Defense (ypg)</td>
<td>228.1 (62)</td>
<td>191.5 (95)</td>
<td>Passing Offense (ypg)</td>
<td><img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pass Efficiency Defense</td>
<td>125.07 (62)</td>
<td>141.24 (40)</td>
<td>Pass Efficiency</td>
<td>Push</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Total Defense (ypg)</td>
<td>374.3 (44)</td>
<td>489.3 (18)</td>
<td>Total Offense (ypg)</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scoring Defense (ppg)</td>
<td>26.4 (65)</td>
<td>36.8 (T-23)</td>
<td>Scoring Offense (ppg)</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Net Punting Yds</td>
<td>35.82 (91)<br>
</td>
<td>7.78 (71)</td>
<td>Punt Return Yds</td>
<td>Push</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Punt Return Yds</td>
<td>8.33 (T-62)</td>
<td>34.6 (106)</td>
<td>Net Punting Yds</td>
<td><img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kickoff Return Yds</td>
<td>19.87 (90)</td>
<td>20.1 (45)</td>
<td>Kickoff Return Defense</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kickoff Return Defense</td>
<td>25.77 (119)</td>
<td>23.9 (21)</td>
<td>Kickoff Return Yds</td>
<td>
<a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Turnover Margin</td>
<td>-.5 (T-89)<br>
</td>
<td>+.5 (T-32)</td>
<td>Turnover Margin</td>
<td>
<a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Penalty Yds/Game</td>
<td>32.55 (7)</td>
<td>39.45 (23)</td>
<td>Penalty Yds/Game</td>
<td>Push</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sacks</td>
<td>2.27/gm (T-41)<br>
</td>
<td>1.09/gm (T-16)</td>
<td>Sacks Allowed</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sacks Allowed</td>
<td>2.0/gm (T-65)<br>
</td>
<td>2.27/gm (T-41)<br>
</td>
<td>Sacks</td>
<td>Push</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Redzone Offense (%)</td>
<td>84.4% (T-56)<br>
</td>
<td>76% (22)<br>
</td>
<td>Redzone Defense (%)</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Redzone Defense (%)</td>
<td>82.9% (65)<br>
</td>
<td>88.2% (T-22)<br>
</td>
<td>Redzone Offense (%)</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Redzone TD %</td>
<td>64.44%</td>
<td>36.0%<br>
</td>
<td>Redzone TD % Defense</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Redzone TD % Defense</td>
<td>54.29%<br>
</td>
<td>66.67%<br>
</td>
<td>Redzone TD %</td>
<td>Push</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3rd Down Conv. %</td>
<td>34.0% (104)<br>
</td>
<td>29.3% (3)<br>
</td>
<td>3rd Down Defense %</td>
<td>
<a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a><br><img>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3rd Down Defense %</td>
<td>35.4% (T-31)<br>
</td>
<td>41.1% (59)</td>
<td>3rd Down Conv. %</td>
<td><img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4th Down Conv. %</td>
<td>54.2% (49)</td>
<td>38.9% (T-26)</td>
<td>4th Down Defense %</td>
<td>Push</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4th Down Defense %</td>
<td>36.4% (T-19)<br>
</td>
<td>61.5% (24)</td>
<td>4th Down Conv. %</td>
<td>Push</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1st Downs</td>
<td>257 (36)</td>
<td>176 (7)</td>
<td>1st Downs Allowed</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1st Downs Allowed</td>
<td>206 (33)</td>
<td>238 (T-53)</td>
<td>1st Downs</td>
<td>Push</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Time of Possession</td>
<td>30:03 (53)<br>
</td>
<td>34:11 (4)</td>
<td>Time of Possession</td>
<td><a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo.jpg" target="_blank" width="18"><img alt="Wisconsin_logo_medium" width="18" src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/1287411/wisconsin_logo_medium.jpg"></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>Difference <25 in National Rank = Push</p>
<p>Difference >25 in National Rank = <img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"></p>
<p>Difference >50 in National Rank = <img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"><img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"></p>
<p>Difference >75 in National Rank = <img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"><img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"><img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"></p>
<p>Difference >100 in National Rank = <img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"><img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"><img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"><img width="20" alt="Psulogo_medium" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/33045/psuLogo_medium.gif"></p>
<p><b>Note: </b>The Redzone TD% and Redzone TD% Defense are calculated by me and not ranked by the NCAA. Determining who has the advantage in these categories is strictly my arbitrary judgment.</p>
<p><b>Quick thoughts</b>: I don't really want to talk about it.</p>
<p>Do you guys? If so, leave comments...but let's just say, be ready to break out the booze for Saturday.</p>
<blockquote>
<a href="https://twitter.com/BSDtweet" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="true" data-lang="en">Follow @BSDtweet on Twitter</a><br>And join us on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Shoe-Diaries/161813843845442" target="_blank"> Facebook</a><br>All BSD community members should review our current <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/6/5/3066778/commenting-and-posting-policy-for-bsd" target="_blank">Posting & Commenting Policies</a> before creating any posts or commenting.</blockquote>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/27/5150948/just-the-stats-penn-state-at-wisconsinCari Greene2013-11-26T20:32:25-05:002013-11-26T20:32:25-05:00B'OB Presser Recap: Wisconsin
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X8FnZ9B5UaOX292YLNBj0LZx6jA=/0x0:2946x1964/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24029435/20131123_kkt_bm2_017.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Nittany Lions are headed to Wisconsin for one last kickoff in 2013.</p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">I don’t know how we got here, but once again we’re at the end of the Penn State football season. The Good Guys travel to Wisconsin this week for one last kickoff until next fall. The team is working through Thanksgiving Break to prepare for the Badgers, and they’ll celebrate Thanksgiving at Pollock Hall. This year, as every year, I’m thankful for the Nittany Lions. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>So what’s Coach O’Brien thankful for?</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">COACH O’BRIEN: I'm thankful for my family. I'm thankful for this football team, these players. I really am. I can't tell you enough how much I enjoy coaching these guys. I wish that some of these games had gone our way, but they didn't. It is what it is. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>I'm very thankful to come in here every day and coach these guys. I really am. I'm thankful for that. I’ve made some good friends here at Penn State and State College, I'm thankful for that. But, mostly I'm thankful for my family and the guys that I coach. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Injury Update:</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">COACH O’BRIEN: Injury wise, pretty much it is what it is. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/204423/von-walker">Von Walker</a> should be able to go this week. He had a concussion a couple weeks ago. Should be fine now. (Bill) Belton looks like he's going to be good to go. We'll see that throughout the week. (Zach) Zwinak, he was banged around pretty good (35 carries vs. Nebraska). Obviously, a very physical game on Saturday. He looks to be okay for the game and the rest of these guys, we've got a bunch of bumps and bruises, but they should be good for the game. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/141951/adrian-amos">Adrian Amos</a> has a foot sprain. Have to see how that is, but he seems to be moving around better and better every day. So that's pretty much an update on injuries.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>State of the Program:</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Q. I know your focus is on the Wisconsin game. But given the possibility that this is the last time we'll be speaking to you in this forum for awhile, I was wondering if you could tell us how the program is positioned going forward from now? </b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">COACH O'BRIEN: Yeah, like you said, we're very focused on Wisconsin. We really are. But the reason we're focused on Wisconsin has a little bit to do with the future. Number one, we're focused on Wisconsin because we want to, again, have another chance to send these seniors out on a winning note. That is really important. But it's also a chance for our younger players who are coming back next year, younger and veteran players who are coming back next year, to go out there against a very good football team and play well. So it's an important game for that. So we're focused there. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>I feel really good about where the program’s at. I think that recruiting has gone well. I think if you look at the '13 class that we brought in here recruiting wise, from what I can see right off the bat, I don't think there are any "busts." I think there are role players and guys that will continue to have roles for us. I think there are some really good players that nobody's even seen yet that are redshirting. And then obviously the guys that played this year for us, the Brandon Bells, the Hackenbergs, the (Adam) Brenemans and those guys. We feel good about the future. We feel good about where we're headed recruiting wise. Every single home game here we've had a lot of great prospects here. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>Can't really get into the details of that because that's an NCAA violation, but we feel good about the '14 class, and we feel good about the '15 class, because you're always trying to stay one step ahead. So we're recruiting hard with the 2015 class. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>We've got a bunch of guys on this football team that gained a lot of experience this year which I think will really help them. Some guys were playing college football for the first time like Geno Lewis who redshirted last year and was playing in a college football game for the first time. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159713/jordan-lucas">Jordan Lucas</a> didn't play a lot for us his first year. Now he comes in and he's one of our better players. We have a lot of veteran players that have played a lot of football for us, that are coming back next year that we feel really, really good about. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>I'm not going to get into predictions or anything like that. That's not what I'm saying. But I think our program, with the two year sanctions that we've been under and things like that with the limited amount of guys we could offer and guy that's left the program, I think our program stands on pretty solid ground right now.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><b>Hack Attack:</b><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Q. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/215213/christian-hackenberg">Christian Hackenberg</a> said one of his main goals this season has been to be a game manager, and I was wondering how do you think he's done in that regard? </b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">COACH O'BRIEN: I’ll tell you what, I think he's done a good job. I think that we could all do a better job in certain areas, and I'm sure he has some plays he wish he could have back, but we don't get those plays back. I think, overall, when you look at being 18 years old and coming in here and playing pretty much every snap of every game, I think he's gotten better and better at doing that. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>What's that mean? You've got to define what a game manager is. A game manager is somebody that understands when to run the ball. That does a good job of using the clock at the end of the half, using the clock at the end of a game, understands coverage reads and when to throw it, when to check to a run, things like that. He overall has gotten better and better at that throughout the year. I think as time goes on, he'll be even better at it.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>The Positives:</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Q. You were just talking about the program. Regardless of your record after this weekend at 75 or 66, in what ways do you think this season has been a success? </b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">COACH O'BRIEN: Well, I think that obviously you are what your record says you are. So we're a 65 team, barely above .500 with a chance to be 75 or 66. So, certainly the season has had its ups and downs. It hasn't been a consistent season. But, I do think there's been a lot of positives. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>I think the fact that we've been able to play a freshman quarterback in every game and he's stayed healthy, and I believe he's gotten better and better, I think that is a real positive. I believe that for the most part we've run the ball pretty well on offense. I think that's a positive. We've been able to get our younger players a lot of work in practice with the Monday night developmental scrimmages. That's a positive. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>I believe our defense has improved every single week. I think the last three weeks, our defense has played well and a lot of younger players or guys that have years left here at Penn State have played a lot of football for us on defense. We've got to make improvement on special teams. Everybody who watches Penn State knows that special teams has been a struggle at times, and other times it's been okay. But it's been too inconsistent, and that is a big area, especially in the world that we live in right now, that's where you have to do a better job of special teams. So we'll look to do that. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>But I think success or not a success, I'm not getting into that. But I think that there's been a lot of positives from the season so far.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><b>Getting Physical:</b><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Q. The physical nature of the game, how physically demanding has this season been? How will that translate to Saturday at Wisconsin? </b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">COACH O'BRIEN: Yeah, it's definitely been physical, you're right. I think what we try to do is give them 48 hours rest. Tried not to hit them yesterday. We usually hit on Mondays, and we didn't yesterday. I believe that will help. I think Thanksgiving week, not having classes, being able to sleep in a little bit, come over, get some treatments in the training room and then come back after practice and get another treatment, I think that will help. And there's only one game left, so you should our guys will be ready to go out there and lay it on the line, I know that.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><b>Junior Leadership:</b><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Q. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114116/mike-hull">Mike Hull</a> was just talking about how he feels more comfortable in a leadership role at this point of the season. How much have you seen that from him and the junior class as a whole developing in that regard and looking to lead the team going forward? </b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">COACH O'BRIEN: Yeah, I think we have some good guys in that class. You know, Hull, and on offense you have (Miles) Dieffenbach and some other guys. Obviously, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142582/allen-robinson">Allen Robinson</a>. You have some really good leaders in that class. He's one of them. He's a very tough guy. He plays through pain. He hates missing practice. He's a good player as he's become healthier he's played better and better. Yeah, he's a definite leader.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Defense: </b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Q. Could you evaluate Brandon Bell's performance against Nebraska? He looked pretty active out there. I was wondering what your thoughts were on the challenge of facing the Wisconsin run game this week and those running backs, James White and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135206/melvin-gordon">Melvin Gordon</a>. </b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">COACH O'BRIEN: Brandon played a really good football game. He had been playing well earlier on special teams. So we decided to get him more run at linebacker. He really played well. He had a really good tackle near the goal line on the quarterback. He almost, at the end of the game when they fumbled the shotgun snap, he almost recovered that. He instinctively took off and went after it and almost got that one, which would have been a huge play, obviously. And there were many plays throughout the game. He does a good job of understanding blocking schemes at a young age. He's an instinctive player and does a good job. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>This is a big challenge. They run the football very well. They're very well coached. They're physical, they're big. Gary Andersen has done a good job coming in there and putting his style of play and putting his mark on that program right away. Big challenge. These are two good running backs; guys that have each gained a lot of yards. Our guys will be there in Wisconsin on Saturday. That's what I will tell you.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Q. When you go against your defense in practice, you run a 43, is there an added difficulty then going up against a 34? What are the difficulties of playing against a defense like that? </b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">COACH O'BRIEN: We ran a 34 in New England for the years I was there, and it's very difficult especially when you have the type of personnel that Wisconsin has or that we had at the time in New England where you have a nose guard in Vince Wilfork or the guy from Wisconsin (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114201/beau-allen">Beau Allen</a>) who is 330 pounds, like a big, stout dude. You have two, what they call four eyes. Four eyes means they line-up on the inside of the tackles that are 270 pound guys that are in a difficult position to block. How do you count them? Do you count them on the guard or do you count them on the tackle? Then you have the Sam and the Will (linebackers) that are lined up on your two tight ends that are two yard or two outside and they're there to set the edge and funnel everything inside. Then you have two inside backers that are really stout. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>So it's different than going against a 43, which is more of a four down look and three linebackers in the box. So different plays are better than against a 34 than they are against a 43 and vice versa. So you've got to retrain your players. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>So, to me, it's a difficult task. That's what we're doing right now is trying to train our players about these are the 34 plays that we need to run to move the ball against Wisconsin. </span></p>
<p class="p2"><b>Wisconsin:</b><span class="s1"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Q. Wisconsin has been pretty stout on the defensive side, guys like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77781/chris-borland">Chris Borland</a> and stuff in there. Can you break them down a little bit? </b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">COACH O'BRIEN: They're very stout. I think there's been six games where they haven't given up a touchdown. But, they play a 34 look, which is tough. They have two good outside backers that set the edge really well, and then Borland, another guy on the inside. There are actually three guys that play inside linebacker with Borland being the guy that plays in there all the time. Borland is a really good player. He's about six feet tall, a 240 pound kid. He's stout, he's tough, he's smart. He's what you're looking for in a linebacker. A lot like our guy, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114115/glenn-carson">Glenn Carson</a>, just a tough, tough dude. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>Then they have, what I think is good about them, too, that is maybe overlooked, is they have two really good safeties that support the run really well. They come up and tackle you. If a run breaks to the second level, they'll tackle you for a three yard gain instead of a 10 yard gain. So I think they do a lot of things well. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><span> </span>Then, on third down they have a good pressure package, and we'll have to be ready for that. Then red zone, they change a little bit in the red zone, not too much. It's a big challenge for us. On the road, stout defense, but again, I say that every week. I think every week is a challenge. We got blown out in one game this year, we've had some really close games. We've had some really close games and we've got to figure out a way to come out on top in these close games. This is one that could potentially be a close football game.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></p>
<blockquote>
<a href="https://twitter.com/BSDtweet" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="true" data-lang="en">Follow @BSDtweet on Twitter</a><br>And join us on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Shoe-Diaries/161813843845442" target="_blank"> Facebook</a><br>All BSD community members should review our current <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2012/6/5/3066778/commenting-and-posting-policy-for-bsd" target="_blank">Posting & Commenting Policies</a> before creating any posts or commenting.</blockquote>
https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/11/26/5149850/bill-obrien-press-conference-wisconsinNikki Bowser