With the 2006 campaign winding down, Penn State's final chance to beat a quality regular season opponent comes tomorrow.
The Nittany Lions (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) visit No. 17 Wisconsin at noon in a game that some view as an entrance exam for the Capital One Bowl. The winner will have the inside track in reaching the postseason game typically reserved for the best non-Bowl Championship Series team in the conference.
"If we win this game, we're that much closer to a better bowl game," Penn State receiver Jordan Norwood said.
The Badgers (8-1, 5-1) are third in the league standings and rank first in the conference, and second nationally, in pass defense. Such a statistic does not bode well for quarterback Anthony Morelli and Penn State's air attack, which may again be forced to use a bevy of screens and short passes.
"We've done a great job," said Wisconsin cornerback Allen Langford. "We've played more as a unit. We stay together. We communicate a lot. We developed a relationship where we don't want to let the next person down, so we go out there and compete every play."
Surrendering only 135.6 yards per game through the air, Wisconsin will force the Lions to ride senior tailback Tony Hunt as far as he can take them -- which, given Penn State's red zone struggles, may have to include the end zone.
It's no secret that Penn State's offense is inefficient within 20 yards of the goal line, but Wisconsin's red zone offense against conference foes is tops in the Big Ten. The Badgers have converted 25-of-27 red zone opportunities in league play this year, and are led in scoring by P.J. Hill, their sensational freshman tailback.
"They want to run the ball," Donnie Johnson said. "They want to pound you. Hopefully, we'll pound him."
Hill is a big back who leads the league in rushing (135.8 yards per game) and touchdowns (14).
"It's a different type of challenge," linebacker Dan Connor said of facing Wisconsin's rushing game. "They still have a good offensive line in front of him. With a back like him, he's going north-south and getting the tough yards. It's going to be a game where you're grinding it out."
With as good a defensive front seven as any team this side of No. 2 Michigan, the Lions will certainly have a chance to stop Hill and the Wisconsin offense.
The Badgers rely on their offensive line (averaging 319.2 pounds per player) to pave the way for the run game and to protect quarterback John Stocco.
"As we've had success this year, it's been from protecting our quarterback, and that's going to be a major emphasis for us," said rookie head coach Bret Bielema. "[Penn State is] very, very good on defense."
As this looks to be yet another game where a disproportionate amount of the load will fall on the defense, the Lions' defenders know Penn State's hopes of a good bowl game will hinge on them.
"We have to win," said defensive captain Paul Posluszny. "To have a special season, you have to beat big-time teams. So far we haven't been able to do that -- and Wisconsin might be our last chance."
