Wisconsin Badgers vs Penn State Nittany Lions Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/26/2026

Game Time: 5:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 26, 2026

Venue:  West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA

Where to Watch:  Peacock

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Wisconsin +10, Penn State -10; Over/Under:  44.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Wisconsin +10, Penn State -10; Over/Under:  44.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Wisconsin +10, Penn State -10; Over/Under:  44.5 points

Wisconsin Badgers:  2-1 (0-0) (10th place, Big Ten)

Penn State Nittany Lions:  3-0 (0-0) (3rd place, Big Ten)

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Wisconsin Badgers:  won their last game at home against the Eastern Michigan Eagles 54-10.

Penn State Nittany Lions:  won their last game at home against the Buffalo Bulls 55-13.

Wisconsin is entering this game with a 2-1 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their conference games too. They are 2-0 in their home games, 0-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-1 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against Eastern Michigan 54-10. Colton Joseph was the starting QB and he completed 23/33 passes for 362 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Colton Joseph led the team in rushing yards with 46 and 1 TD. Tyrell Henry led the receivers with 160 receiving yards on 14 receptions and 1 TD. Bryce West and Nolan Vils each led the defense in that game with 5 tackles while Sebastian Cheeks and Nolan Vils each led the defense in sacks with 1. Mason Posa and Matthew Jung each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.

 

 

 

Penn State is entering this game with a 3-0 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their conference games too. They are 2-0 in their home games, 1-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against Buffalo 55-13. Rocco Becht was the starting QB and he completed 11/19 passes for 212 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Quinton Martin Jr. led the team in rushing yards with 100. Koby Howard led the receivers with 115 receiving yards on 3 receptions and 1 TD. Kooper Ebel led the defense in that game with 5 tackles while Kooper Ebel and Alex Tatsch each led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.

The current betting odds have Wisconsin listed as a 10 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Wisconsin has looked good in their games this season with their 2-1 record overall so far. They haven't played any road games though and will be playing their 1st road game of the season here. Meanwhile, Penn State has looked good in their games this season with their 3-0 record overall so far. They have looked good on their home field too with their 2-0 home record this season. Penn State is coming off a 55-13 win over Buffalo in their last one and they have looked great in their 3 games, but they have also been beating up on lesser opponents. Their defense has looked great against these lesser opponents, not giving up many points, but they haven't really been challenged by a good offense yet. Their own offense hasn't looked great either, having a lot of trouble against Temple in the only road game they have played. They are in their 1st year with Matt Campbell as head coach and there are still a lot of questions as to what this team actually is this season. Wisconsin is coming off a 54-10 win over Eastern Michigan in their last one and they have looked a lot better against lesser opponents too. They do have a loss under their belt already, but they did get a good challenge in that game too. They lost to Notre Dame 41-13 in week 1, but they were able to keep that a tight game in the 1st half against a top 5 team in the nation. Wisconsin has had some bad years under Fickell, but the team looks very improved this season and he has a chance to pick up a statement win over a ranked opponent who definitely isn't the same program that they have been over the last few years. Look for Wisconsin to bring their best effort and keep this game close with both defenses shining. The best way to place a bet here is on Wisconsin to cover the spread in this game. 

Wisconsin Penn State Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 26, 2026 (5:00 pm ET start time) is Penn State 20 Wisconsin 13.

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Wisconsin Badgers: 10-4 ATS as a road underdog of 7.5 to 14 points. 33-21 ATS in a road game where the total is between 42.5 and 49. 70-47 ATS vs. good offensive  teams - scoring 31 or more points/game. 10-4 UNDER as a road underdog of 7.5 to 14 points. 31-21 UNDER against teams with a turnover margin of +1 per game or better.

Penn State Nittany Lions: 53-70 ATS vs. good offensive  teams - scoring 31 or more points/game. 37-60 ATS versus good defensive teams - allowing 310 yards/game or less. 4-13 ATS after allowing 14 points or less last game. 24-14 UNDER as a home favorite of 7.5 to 14 points. 54-34 UNDER after a game with a turnover margin of +2 or better.

Wisconsin Badgers:  A. Sama III (RB) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Coleman (WR) Out - Undisclosed. J. Domingeaux (WR) Out - Undisclosed. D. O'Neil (QB) Questionable - Lower Body. J. Pope (RB) Questionable - Undisclosed.

Penn State Nittany Lions:  K. Howard (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. B. Kortovich (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. C. Alexander (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. D. Sheffey (RB) Questionable - Undisclosed. G. Burkle (TE) Questionable - Knee. M. Granville (DL) Out - Undisclosed.

“He had practiced most of the week. He wasn't able to hit the whole week. They kind of cleared him to be able to play. We kind of just said, ‘I’m not sure that he's really ready.' We kind of made a decision, a game-time decision.” - Luke Fickell on the injury to Abu Sama III after his team’s win against EMU in their last game. 

“Not where we need to be. But I think a team that has certainly grown in different entities each week and still a team that in my opinion's got so much ability and growth to go.” - Matt Campbell after his team’s win against Buffalo in their last game. 

WR Hilton Jr., Eugene

WR Brooks Jr., Chris

WR Henry, Tyrell 

TE Harris, Jacob

QB Joseph, Colton

RB Sama III, Abu

WR Sowell, Chase

WR Eskildsen, Brett

WR Howard, Koby

TE Rappleyea, Andrew

TE Burkle, Gabe

QB Becht, Rocco

RB Hansen, Carson

Passing: Colton Joseph (752)

Rushing: Abu Sama III (156)

Receiving: Tyrell Henry (293)

Touchdowns: Chris Brooks Jr. (2)

Passing: Rocco Becht (751)

Rushing: Carson Hansen (169)

Receiving: Koby Howard (344)

Touchdowns: Benjamin Brahmer (3)

Coaches:

Wisconsin Badgers: Luke Fickell (5th season)

Penn State Nittany Lions: Matt Campbell (1st season)