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Wisconsin (7-4, 4-3 Big Ten) at Penn State (7-4, 5-2)
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Spread: Penn State by 2.5.
Watchability: This game means everything to the Nittany Lions and nothing to the Badgers. Penn State won’t play in a bowl game, but still has a chance to claim an eighth win against a divisional rival. Not bad for a team favored by Las Vegas oddsmakers to finish with fewer than five wins this season. Meantime, Wisconsin has secured a place in the Big Ten championship game and should be more worried about staying healthy.
Shining stars: Wisconsin -- RB Montee Ball appears to have finally regained his elite form after suffering through a variety of injuries and offensive woes earlier this season. Ball has rushed for 1,417 yards with 17 touchdowns this season and is gaining steam. Penn State -- QB Matt McGloin will go down as one of the top passers in school history. The former walk-on has completed 61.4 percent of his passes this season for 3,071 yards with 23 touchdowns against five interceptions while also rushing for five scores. Penn State's attack begins and ends with him.
Who could steal the show: Wisconsin -- LB Mike Taylor has emerged as one of the top playmakers on defense. The senior has a team-high 104 tackles, including 12 for loss, to go with a sack. Taylor also has three passes defended this year and has shown an ability to stay on the field during throwing downs. Penn State -- DT Jordan Hill is making a case to be a first-round NFL draft pick this season. The 6-foot-1, 292-pounder commands double teams on nearly every play as he has amassed 52 tackles, including 5.5 for loss. Hill also has 2.5 sacks and an interception this season. It is crucial for Penn State that he gets penetration against the Wisconsin power running game.
Magic number for Indiana: 4.0. points. the average margin of defeat in Wisconsin’s four losses this season. The Badgers have struggled this year, but are a handful of plays away from being undefeated.
Magic number for Penn State: 30. Seniors introduced before the game on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. The raw emotion will be a huge factor for so many playing in their final game.
The game comes down to: How hard will Wisconsin play? The Nittany Lions demonstrated at Nebraska earlier this month that they are capable of playing with the best in the league. Wisconsin has nothing to play for, won’t want to show too many plays and won’t want to risk injuring key players with a trip to the Big Ten championship game looming. Penn State also will be heavily motivated on senior day in their final game of the year.
Prediction: Penn State 27, Wisconsin 17
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen