Intercepted! No. 6 Wisconsin looks to pick off Penn State

Penn State was picked fourth in the Big Ten East in the preseason and 2-2 after an ugly loss at MI, prompting the athletic director to issue a public vote of confidence for third-year coach James Franklin. “I think the explosive plays come from Trace’s mobility when he is able to step up in the pocket and extend plays”, Penn State coach James Franklin said.

Barkley made it clear Monday that he expects to play in Saturday’s Big Ten title game.

Bret Bielema and Barry Alvarez had both won the Dave McClain Coach of the Year Award in the Big Ten which is awarded by the media but this is the first time a Badger ciach has been chosen by his peers. Meanwhile, Penn State is trying to prepare for their first time here in Indianapolis in the title fight.

UW (10-2) enters the Big Ten title game Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium at No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings and needing a victory over No. 7 Penn State (10-2) to at least secure an invitation to the Rose Bowl.

Both squads have certainly put themselves in position to be discussed as two of the hotter teams in the country. If you ask the question “who’s got it better than us?” among B1G football programs, it’s OSU first and Wisconsin second.

If that order holds – and there is no reason to think it won’t because neither is playing – and Clemson goes to the playoff as the ACC champion, then Florida State will represent the conference in the Orange Bowl.

Big Ten party. MI gets in along with the victor of the Big Ten championship game.

Series: Wisconsin leads, 9-8.

When the B1G commenced a league title game in 2011, the two participants ended up being Wisconsin and Michigan State.

¯ Wisconsin lost at home in overtime to Ohio State, 30-23.

Playoffs or not, Chryst said a championship would still be meaningful.

No one has been running much against either team lately. He capped all three with a touchdown pass to help the Nittany Lions build a 31-14 lead with 12 minutes 49 seconds left in the third quarter.

Penn State, meanwhile, needed to beat Michigan State and have Ohio State top Michigan.

Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook is day-to-day after getting knocked out of Saturday’s game against Minnesota with an apparent concussion.

Barkley, who said earlier in the week that he would be ready to play this weekend, said he respects the Wisconsin defense. The first year starter also set the Penn State football single-season record for total offense with 3,348 yards.

According to several players, Chryst’s halftime demeanor was that of a coach whose team was leading by 10 points. Hornibrook’s output is 1,243 yards and eight touchdowns against seven interceptions, while Houston has 912 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

Wisconsin knew it was headed to Indianapolis prior to its win vs. Minnesota on Saturday, thanks to Iowa’s victory over Nebraska on Black Friday.