Penn State's first Big Ten game of the 2026 season is days away, so it is time to get in a bit of a cram session about this week's opponent, the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin comes into this week's matchup with a 2-1 record, with the lone loss coming in the season opener against Notre Dame. How much do we really know about the Badgers as they make their first true road trip of the season? What concerns should Penn State fans have, and which players should they know going into the weekend?
To get some inside information on this week's opponent, we reached out to our friends at Badgers Wire to ask some questions about the Badgers. Jordan Lawrenz was kind enough to pass along some answers for us as we learn a little bit about this week's matchup
from the opposing point of view. Here is what Jordan had to say about Wisocnsin heading into the Big Ten opener in Happy Valley.
NLW: Wisconsin is playing its first true road game of the season this week, but the Badgers have already faced a team on a so-called neutral field. What are the challenges this week with playing on the road in Beaver Stadium?
Jordan: We're going to see what this Wisconsin team is truly made of. Notre Dame was a great test, no doubt, but it wasn't a true road game. Now, Colton Joseph is going to need to drown out the noise, and this defense is going to have to keep making big plays when necessary.
NLW: Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph broke into the Big Ten's top-10 passing leaders this week. How much of an improvement has he been for the position in Madison so far?
Jordan: If this team makes a bowl game, it's because of Colton Joseph. To see him throw for over 300 passing yards in the first half against Eastern Michigan is one thing, but is that sustainable against Big Ten opponents? We'll see. I'd love to see him use his legs more, but obviously they need to stay safe because another QB injury would ruin everything.
NLW: Wide receiver Tyrell Henry has also moved up among the Big Ten's top receivers. Is he the go-to guy Wisconsin has needed for the passing game? Who else should we focus on in the passing game this week?
Jordan: Henry stepped up in a huge way in Week 3 for a Badgers team that was without Malachi Coleman. I'd still call Coleman WR1, but Henry had the game of his life, and that was even after he had a crucial fourth-down drop at the start of the Eagles game.
NLW: What is the current state of the Wisconsin defense? It feels as though it has been in the middle of the pack the last few years.
Jordan: Wisconsin teams were always dependent on their run game, offensive line, and defenses. It feels like with Mason Posa, Cooper Catalano, and Matthew Jung, this defense is back on the rise. As long as they can keep forcing takeaways, they'll be in good shape.
NLW: Wisconsin seemed to hang with Notre Dame for a half in the season opener, but the differences between the programs seemed to show in the second half as Notre Dame pulled away a bit. Penn State is not on Notre Dame's level, but how much can be taken from that season opener going into the first Big Ten game of the season?
Jordan: The Notre Dame game was extremely telling for a ton of different reasons. Competing in the first half is one thing, but playing a full 60-minute game against a ranked opponent is another. The Nittany Lions present a massive challenge, but I'm glad UW was able to get that Fighting Irish game in instead of three mediocre non-conference opponents.
NLW: What is the temperature on Luke Fickell's job security as Big Ten play begins?
Jordan: Fickell just put up one of his most complete games to date, so his job security is completely safe, for now. Losing to Penn State won't change that.
NLW: What is the biggest concern about Penn State that Wisconsin will be dealing with this week?
Jordan: Wisconsin got two interceptions against Eastern Michigan last week so they'd love to force the first of Rocco Becht's season. The senior QB is one of the best they'll be facing this season, other than the obvious in CJ Carr. Penn State's defense has also looked legit, having not allowed more than 13 points in a game yet this year. It'll be interesting to see what Wisconsin's offense can do against them.
NLW: Any final predictions you are willing to share?
Jordan: I'd love to predict a Wisconsin win, but I just don't think this team is there yet. I can see this going similarly to the Notre Dame game, but a slow start for UW will doom all of the goodwill they've built up in the past two weeks. Penn State 28, Wisconsin 17
Our thanks to Jordan Lawrenz for providing his insight into Penn State's opponent this week. For more coverage of the Wisconsin Badgers from Jordan and the rest of the team, check out Badgers Wire.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: Wisconsin insider shares info on Week 4 opponent
