It’s Homecoming weekend in Happy Valley as Penn State football begins its grueling Big Ten journey with a 5 p.m. kickoff against Wisconsin.

The Nittany Lions went undefeated through their non-conference slate, including a 45-0 mauling of Marshall, a 27-9 trampling of Temple, and a 55-13 beatdown of Buffalo.

The 2-1 Badgers have logged back-to-back wins against Western Illinois and Eastern Michigan after dropping their season opener to Notre Dame 41-13.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the matchup.

Television

The game will be broadcast on Peacock with Dave Flemming on play-by-play and Matt Cassel on color commentary. Ashley ShahAhmadi will report from the sideline.

Radio

Penn State Sports Network — Steve Jones, Jack Ham, Brian Tripp

Local: 99.5 FM, 103.7 FM, 1450 AM, SiriusXM: 106, 180, 232, XM App

Weather

It’ll be 69 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff, according to AccuWeather. Cloud cover sits at 56%, with wind gusts up to 20 mph.

The probability of precipitation is perfect: 0 percent. Expect things to cool off as the game goes on, sinking to 61 degrees Fahrenheit by 8 p.m.

Injuries

Since Wisconsin is a Big Ten opponent, Penn State’s injury availability report is available ahead of kickoff.

Penn State’s most notable inactive will be receiver Koby Howard, whom Matt Campbell announced was out for an “extended period of time” on Wednesday.

Defensive ends LaVar Arrington II, Max Granville, Mason Robinson, and Dayshaun Burnett will not suit up on Saturday. Arrington II had a “clean-up” surgery on his knee and is expected to remain sidelined for the next two to four weeks.

Granville suffered a season-ending injury in practice ahead of the Temple game and will miss the rest of the season, as will Robinson, who got injured at the start of spring ball.

Cornerbacks Joshua Johnson and Tyler Armstead are also listed as out, along with tight end Cooper Alexander and offensive lineman Will Tompkins, who will miss the rest of the season after suffering a “unique” injury during pregame warmups before Buffalo, Campbell said.

Tight end Andrew Rappleyea is listed as questionable after getting nicked up in Saturday’s win over Buffalo. He did not practice on Tuesday. Offensive linemen Brock Riker and Dominic Rulli’s statuses are also up in the air for the Wisconsin game, though Riker was a full participant at practice this week.

Linebacker Cam Smith and wide receiver Ethan Black are also listed as questionable.

Series History

The Nittany Lions hold a 12-9 all-time record against Wisconsin. The two squads first met in 1953, when Wisconsin won 20-0.

Penn State is on a six-game win streak against the Badgers, dating back to 2012 and through the last matchup in 2024, when the blue and white won 28-13 on a combined 246-yard, two-touchdown dual-quarterback effort from Drew Allar and Beau Pribula. Kaytron Allen rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries.

Penn State has outscored the Badgers 159-109 in those last six matchups.

Wisconsin’s last win came in November of 2011, when they shredded Penn State 45-7 in Madison.

Betting Lines

The Nittany Lions are 10-point favorites against Wisconsin, according to DraftKings. The over/under is set at 44.5 points.

Media Coverage

Onward State will have you covered throughout the game. Find big plays, analysis, photos, and more on our main Twitter account @OnwardState, as well as play-by-play commentary from @OnwardStSports.

Football writers Jamie Lynch (@jamielynchpsu), Cadyn Gill (@cgill214), and Oscar Orellana (@__oscarorellana) will provide you with coverage from inside the press box.

Photographer Ericka Apolskis (@ericka_apolskis) will provide visual updates from the field.

Onward State

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• Start Scheduling Fun Non-Conference Games Again: An Open Letter To Penn State Football

• No. 13 Penn State Favored In First Big Ten Contest Against Wisconsin