Graham Mertz and No. 12 Wisconsin host No. 19 Penn State on Saturday in a massive Big Ten season opener for both teams. Kickoff is at noon Eastern.
WATCH LIVE FOR FREE: fuboTV (free 7-day trial)and Hulu Live TV (free trial).
Penn State is trying to rebound from a disappointing 4-5 season in 2020. The Badgers are looking for a big second season from Graham Mertz, who threw for 1,238 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions in seven games.
Who: No. 19 Penn State (4-5, 4-5 Big Ten in 2020) at No. 12 Wisconsin (4-3, 3-3 in 2020).
When: Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
Time: Noon Eastern.
Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison (80,321).
TV: Fox.
Cable channel finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, WOW.
Live streams: Fubo.tv (FREE 7-day trial); Hulu + Live TV (FREE trial); and Fox Sports (TV provider sign-in required).
Latest line: Wisconsin -5.5.
Announcers: Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft.
Read some of what Steve Megargee of the Associated Press wrote about both Penn State and Wisconsin looking to bounce back from difficult seasons in 2020.
Wisconsin and Penn State believe they are ready to contend for Big Ten titles again after struggling through uncharacteristically inconsistent seasons amid unusual circumstances last year.
Both should have plenty of motivation heading into Saturday’s season-opening Big Ten matchup between the 12th-ranked Badgers and 19th-ranked Nittany Lions.
“We had a below-average year last year, and a lot of guys aren’t happy with that,” Wisconsin outside linebacker Nick Herbig said. “We have a lot to prove.”
Herbig understands the Badgers aren’t the only ones who feel that way.
“Penn State, they have something to prove, too,” Herbig added. “They’re (ticked) off, too.”
That should create quite the atmosphere as fans return to Camp Randall Stadium for the first time since 2019.
Wisconsin was ranked in the top 10 early in the pandemic-delayed 2020 season but finished 4-3 as its offense vanished during a three-game skid. Penn State struggled even more. With many key players opting out or getting injured, the Nittany Lions dropped their first five games before winning their last four.
The Nittany Lions want to avoid another slow start. Since early last winter, Penn State has kept a timer in the football building that has counted down the days until this game.
It’s not unusual for college programs to post these types of countdowns during the offseason, but this was new for Penn State. The magnitude of this matchup caused Penn State coach James Franklin to try something different.
“I think that was a big motivator and driver for us all offseason,” Franklin said.
Both teams have good reason to believe they’ll bounce back.
Wisconsin returns eight starters on each side of the ball after ranking fifth nationally in total defense and tying for ninth in scoring defense last year.
The Penn State offense features fifth-year senior quarterback Sean Clifford and a veteran receiving corps.
“I obviously can’t wait until Saturday,” Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson said. “It’s going to be a show.”
For team hats, shirts or other gear:
Visit Fanatics, Lids, Champs Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods or New Era.
No. 19 Penn State vs. No. 12 Wisconsin football free live stream: How to watch, TV, odds | Big Ten - cleveland.com
Read More
No comments:
Post a Comment