Wisconsin Badgers Edge Out Penn State Nittany Lions 24-20
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 5:00 PM ET · Beaver Stadium
Quick answers
Who won Wisconsin Badgers vs Penn State Nittany Lions?
Wisconsin Badgers beat Penn State Nittany Lions 24-20 at Beaver Stadium on September 26, 2026.
Who was favored in Wisconsin Badgers vs Penn State Nittany Lions?
Penn State Nittany Lions were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -380 (about 79% implied). The underdog won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 24-20 at Beaver Stadium. This game was particularly noteworthy as both teams entered with identical records of 3-1, making their clash a critical early-season battle in the NCAAF landscape.
The Nittany Lions had been on a strong run, boasting a six-game winning streak leading into this game, with their last five games showing an impressive average of 40.8 points scored and only 13.6 points allowed. Their home record stood at 3-2, and they had shown a potent offense, averaging 31.5 points per game at home. In their most recent outing, they dominated the Buffalo Bulls with a decisive 55-13 victory, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
On the other hand, the Badgers had a mixed bag of results in their recent form, with a record of 4-6 over their last ten games. However, they had managed to win their last two games, including a convincing 54-10 win against the Eastern Michigan Eagles. The Badgers had struggled on the road, with an away record of 0-4, but they came into this game with a renewed sense of confidence after their recent victories. Their scoring average was lower than that of the Nittany Lions, at 16.4 points per game, but they had shown resilience, particularly in their last two games where they averaged 45 points.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Nittany Lions favored by 9.5 points, with a total set at 43.5. The odds reflected the expectation that Penn State would perform well at home, but the Badgers managed to defy those expectations. The moneyline indicated a strong belief in a Penn State victory, with the home team at -380 and Wisconsin at +300.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams would have had to manage their rosters carefully as they approached this pivotal matchup. The conditions at Beaver Stadium were likely to have played a role in the game, although specific weather details were not included in the block.
The game itself was a showcase of both teams' strengths and weaknesses. The Nittany Lions, despite their recent form, could not capitalize on their home advantage against a determined Badgers squad. The Badgers' defense stepped up when it mattered most, managing to contain Penn State's high-scoring offense and ultimately securing the win.
As the game concluded, the Badgers' victory not only improved their record to 4-1 but also provided a crucial boost of momentum as they head deeper into the season. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions will need to regroup after this loss, which snapped their winning streak and raised questions about their ability to perform under pressure.
What we said beforehand
The Penn State Nittany Lions are set to host the Wisconsin Badgers in what promises to be an intriguing matchup at Beaver Stadium on September 26, 2026. The Nittany Lions come into this game with an impressive home record of 3-0, showcasing a strong performance in front of their fans. In contrast, the Badgers, with an away record of 2-1, will be looking to improve their performance on the road.
Penn State has been in formidable form recently, boasting a six-game winning streak. Their last five games have seen them score an average of 40.8 points while allowing only 13.6 points per game. Their most recent victory was a narrow win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, finishing 40-36. Other notable results include a dominant 55-13 win against the Buffalo Bulls and a solid 22-10 victory over the Clemson Tigers. Rocco Becht has been a standout performer for the Nittany Lions, leading the team with 751 passing yards and nine touchdowns this season.
On the other hand, Wisconsin has shown some resilience, winning their last two games after a rough start to the season. Their recent form has them averaging 27.4 points scored and 17.4 points allowed over their last five games. They secured a 27-10 victory against the Illinois Fighting Illini in their last outing, but prior to that, they faced tough losses against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Colton Joseph, the Badgers' quarterback, has thrown for 752 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions this season.
When it comes to home versus away performance, Penn State has been particularly strong at Beaver Stadium, where they have a home record of 3-2 over their last five games, while Wisconsin struggles on the road, holding an away record of 0-4 in their last ten games. This disparity could play a crucial role in the outcome of the matchup.
The betting market has favored Penn State, with DraftKings listing them as 10-point favorites. The total points for the game is set at 43.5, with odds of -115 for the over and -105 for the under. This indicates that the market expects a relatively low-scoring game, which aligns with both teams' recent defensive performances.
Weather conditions for the game are expected to be mild, with a temperature of 67°F. However, there may be some challenges due to wind gusts reaching up to 21 mph and a precipitation chance of 68%. These factors could potentially impact the passing game and overall scoring.
As the game approaches, viewers should keep an eye on the performances of key players such as Penn State's Rocco Becht and Wisconsin's Colton Joseph. Additionally, the effectiveness of each team's rushing attack, led by Carson Hansen for Penn State and Abu Sama III for Wisconsin, could be pivotal in determining the outcome. With both teams looking to solidify their standings, this matchup is sure to be a compelling contest.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | PSU -9.5 | 43.5 o -115 / u -105 | Wisconsin Badgers +300 · Penn State Nittany Lions -380 |
Leaders
- Passing yardsRocco Becht12/29, 114 YDS, 1 INTPenn State Nittany Lions
- Rushing yardsJames Peoples14 CAR, 67 YDSPenn State Nittany Lions
- Receiving yardsChase Sowell6 REC, 70 YDSPenn State Nittany Lions
- Passing yardsColton Joseph18/38, 235 YDS, 2 TD, 3 INTWisconsin Badgers
- Rushing yardsDarrion Dupree8 CAR, 52 YDSWisconsin Badgers
- Receiving yardsJacob Harris5 REC, 105 YDS, 1 TDWisconsin Badgers
Recent form
Penn State Nittany Lions
Last 10: 6-4Streak W631.5 scored · 19 allowed per game3-2 at home
- W55-13vs Buffalo BullsSep 19
- W27-9at Temple OwlsSep 12
- W45-0vs Marshall Thundering HerdSep 5
- W40-36at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsNov 29
- W37-10vs Nebraska CornhuskersNov 23
- W28-10at Michigan State SpartansNov 15
- L24-27vs Indiana HoosiersNov 8
- L14-38at Ohio State BuckeyesNov 1
- L24-25at Iowa HawkeyesOct 18
- L21-22vs Northwestern WildcatsOct 11
Wisconsin Badgers
Last 10: 4-6Streak W216.4 scored · 22 allowed per game0-4 away
- W54-10vs Eastern Michigan EaglesSep 19
- W36-9vs Western Illinois LeathernecksSep 12
- L13-41at Notre Dame Fighting IrishSep 6
- L7-17at Minnesota Golden GophersNov 29
- W27-10vs Illinois Fighting IlliniNov 23
- L7-31at Indiana HoosiersNov 15
- W13-10vs Washington HuskiesNov 8
- L7-21at Oregon DucksOct 25
- L0-34vs Ohio State BuckeyesOct 18
- L0-37vs Iowa HawkeyesOct 11
Standings
| Team | Overall | In conference |
|---|---|---|
| UCLA | 4-0 | 2-0 |
| Indiana | 4-0 | 1-0 |
| Iowa | 4-0 | 1-0 |
| Nebraska | 4-0 | 1-0 |
| USC | 4-0 | 1-0 |
| Ohio State | 3-1 | 1-0 |
| Wisconsin | 3-1 | 1-0 |
| Washington | 3-0 | 0-0 |
| Minnesota | 2-1 | 0-0 |
| Oregon | 2-1 | 0-0 |
| Michigan | 3-1 | 0-1 |
| Penn State | 3-1 | 0-1 |
| Northwestern | 2-1 | 0-1 |
| Illinois | 2-2 | 0-1 |
| Maryland | 2-2 | 0-1 |
| Michigan State | 2-2 | 0-1 |
| Purdue | 1-3 | 0-1 |
| Rutgers | 1-3 | 0-1 |
Box score
| Stat | Wisconsin Badgers | Penn State Nittany Lions |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 18 | 12 |
| Third downs | 4-15 | 7-18 |
| Fourth downs | 2-2 | 0-1 |
| Total yards | 355 | 233 |
| Net passing yards | 235 | 114 |
| Completions | 18/38 | 12/29 |
| Yards per pass | 6.2 | 3.9 |
| Rushing yards | 120 | 119 |
| Rushing attempts | 28 | 36 |
| Yards per rush | 4.3 | 3.3 |
| Penalties | 9-52 | 3-15 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 29:34 | 30:26 |
Win probability
Above the line favours Penn State Nittany Lions, below favours Wisconsin Badgers.
Venue
- Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA
- Attendance108014
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