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Penn State-Wisconsin expanded preview

Penn State at Wisconsin Big 10 Championship Game Saturday, 8:17 p.m., at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis. TV: Fox29. Radio: WNTP-AM (990), WNPV-AM (1440).

Penn State at Wisconsin

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Big 10 Championship Game

Saturday, 8:17 p.m., at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.

TV: Fox29. Radio: WNTP-AM (990), WNPV-AM (1440).

Records: Penn State 10-2, 8-1 Big Ten, ranked No. 7 in the College Football Playoff poll. Wisconsin 10-2, 7-2, No. 6.

History: Wisconsin leads, 9-8, but Penn State has won the last two, including a 31-24 victory in 2013 over the then-No. 14 Badgers in Madison.

About Penn State: After ending September with a 2-2 record, the Nittany Lions have stunned a fair share of their fans with eight straight victories and their first-ever appearance in the conference title contest. . . . The Lions haven't allowed a touchdown in their last eight quarters while outscoring Rutgers and Michigan State by a combined 84-12. . . . Quarterback Trace McSorley threw for 376 yards and four touchdowns against the Spartans and moved up to first place in FBS in passing efficiency and yards per completion (16.17). . . . Coach James Franklin said he anticipates that Saquon Barkley will be fine after his sophomore running back left last week's game with an apparent ankle injury. . . . Led by linebackers Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda, the defense has really come on after halftime the last two weeks, limiting Rutgers to 21 total yards and Michigan State to 87. . . . Special teams will make a difference in what is expected to be a tight game, and the Lions' Tyler Davis is 21 of 23 on field-goal attempts.

About Wisconsin: The Badgers are no strangers to this game, with this being their fourth appearance in their last six years with their third different head coach, Paul Chryst. . . . They come into Indianapolis on a six-game winning streak. . . . Wisconsin usually plays two quarterbacks but one of them, redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook, who starred at Malvern Prep, is listed as questionable with a possible concussion. He and senior Bart Houston have combined to throw 13 touchdown passes. . . . Senior running back Corey Clement (Glassboro) is one of the Big Ten's top rushers, having picked up 1,140 yards this season. . . . The Badgers are No. 1 in FBS in time of possession, averaging a little more than 35 minutes per game. . . . Sophomore linebacker T.J. Edwards is the team's leading tackler. . . . The Badgers lead the nation with 21 interceptions, and senior safety Leo Musso leads the team with five picks.

- Joe Juliano
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