"Penn State 24, Wisconsin 14. Sure, Penn State will be fired up for Senior Day. But the key will be quarterback play. The Lions have struggled against the best QBs on their schedule this season, but that position has obviously been an issue for Bucky. I'm not saying this team wants to stick it to the Big Ten. But if it did, what better way to do it than by sending a five-loss team to Indy?"
-- Mark Brennan, mxbscout
"Penn State 24, Wisconsin 20. I rarely pick against the Lions on Senior Day under normal circumstances and definitely cannot pick against these seniors. This class will go down as one of the greatest in Penn State history. This team will rally one more time, sending the seniors and this season out on a high note."
-- Scott Cole, PSU96
"Penn State 24, Wisconsin 14. Penn State will come out fired up with the pre-game senior honors. This is going to go down as the favorite class in PSU history. I want to propose the number 2012 on the suites honoring this team and the commitment the players have put forth for all of us and themselves. That being said, losing Mike Mauti hurts and could really hurt if we let Wisconsin pound the ball all four quarters. Get them out of their game plan by jumping on them early and make them play from behind. In a very emotional day for everybody in the stadium, PSU comes out the winner in a knock-down/drag-out game. Charlie-Mike boys and more importantly, THANK YOU SENIORS."
-- Keith Conlin, keithconlin
"Penn State 31, Wisconsin 27. I think the Lions will struggle to contain the Badger running game but the inability of Curt Phillips to move and throw will prevent the score from getting out of hand. I like Matt McGloin to throw for a ton of yards and the Lions to pull off a key win at home in front of a small but vocal crowd."
-- Nirav Dalal, PlaybookNirav
"Penn State 28, Wisconsin 24. No doubt a challenging game to close out a tough season, but the emotion of Senior Day should lift up the squad."
-- Mark Harrington, PlaybookMark
"Wisconsin 31, Penn State 24. This will certainly be an emotional Senior Day, even more so after Mauti's injury last week. This is Penn State's bowl game and Wisconsin will just try to stay healthy as they and their asterisk head to Indy next week. That said, Penn State's defense is banged up and the Lions have been very susceptible to the pound-it-out running game that Montee Ball will bring."
-- Tom Hoffman, underscoreTom
"Penn State 27, Wisconsin 24. It's senior day, and with the group of seniors that Penn State has this season -- I just can't chalk this one up to a loss. I do think this will be a close one, but the season finale for the Nittany Lions will be one to remember, for more than just the senior class."
-- Beth Long, bethlongscout
"Penn State 30, Wisconsin 24. Penn State pulls it together for the finale and sends the Thanksgiving weekend crowd home with a smile, as an inspired defense dedicates the game to their fallen leader Mauti, and stifles a last ditch Badger effort to come away with a win."
-- Tom McLaughlin, WeRPSUPlaybook
"Wisconsin 34, Penn State 30. Hope I'm wrong, but Penn State hasn't stopped a good running game all year. Minus Mauti, that task became harder."
-- Donovan Neal, PSUMtnBike
"Penn State 28, Wisconsin 24. It's tough to pick against this Nittany Lion team on Senior Day, and even more so with Wisconsin coming to town with a trip to Indianapolis sewed up, and not much to play for other than pride. But Ted Roof's defense will still have to contend with Montee Ball, a match-up made all the tougher with Mauti likely out. I wouldn't be surprised if Penn State pulls off a victory, but it's certainly an uphill battle."
-- Greg Pickel, GregPickel
"Penn State 20, Wisconsin 17. This is Penn State's bowl game, and it's on Senior Day. The Nittany Lions match up well against the Badgers."
-- Rob Riva, rriva
Mark Brennan, mxbscout
"8-4: I had an 8-4 regular season before the NCAA sanctions hit and I've never been one to shift gears on a prediction. The players in the program will rally around one another, which will mitigate the personnel losses. The most significant big-picture issue is depth. A few key injuries, and things can get ugly fast."
Scott Cole, PSU96
"8-4. I was leaning toward 9-3 prior to the sanctions, but I think the combined losses of Brown, Fera and Redd will cost the Lions a close game along the way. The new coaching staff has said and done all the right things so far. Now, we have to see if their modern, NFL-like approach can overcome a serious lack of depth at some key positions. I expect the fans' relationship with the program to strengthen this season regardless of the end results. Coaches, players, alumni and fans are all in this together."
Keith Conlin, keithconlin
"10-2: Season prediction is predicated on me being the biggest homer of all time!!! I like the team and they are playing with a severe chip on their shoulders. Defensively, the seconadary could be a weakness but may turn out to be a strong suit after all is said and done. Love the front seven. Pressure QB and stop the run really helps out the secondary. Hodges and Mauti are going to be All-Americans. Offensively, don't be suprised at what they can do here. McGloin is a senior who has seen his share of battle in his career. Big year is expected for him. O-Line will be fine. Belton is going to flourish in this offense. TE and WR better be ready to work is all I’m going to say!!! Again, I really like this team and see some major suprises coming out of this season."
Nirav Dalal, PlaybookNirav
"9-3: Though many key guys are missing, the offense will be better than last year thanks to a single QB at the helm. I am looking for the defense to really perform well to keep games close regardless of the opponent. I think the Illinois game is going to be the barometer this year."
Mark Harrington, PlaybookMark
"9-3: What this team may have lost in departures I believe has more than made up in character and drive. Toss in the new coaching staff, a fresh scheme and revitalized attitude and I believe this team can overachieve. Depth is certainly an issue in pockets, but if the squad can stay predominantly healthy I think they can deliver on a impressive outing all things considered."
Tom Hoffman, underscoreTom
"9-3: This team was already slated to overachieve with a new coaching staff on board. Certainly the narrative as been shifted in the past few months but there is still enough talent on the two deep to navigate this schedule. The past few months have also shown that the 2012 team is in no way devoid of leadership. Vegas may have them as the favorite in several games, but make no mistake this team will be the underdog all season and the team will respond."
Beth Long, bethlongscout
"9-3: This team is special. After covering them for the past several years, I can feel the passion from them. That is why I am picking them to go 9- 3, It's not always about talent and having every added advantage, sometimes its the adversity that makes you stronger. That is exactly what I expect from this team."
Tom McLaughlin, WeRPSUPlaybook
"8-4: This will without a doubt be one of the closest Penn State football teams of all time, and should be an exciting team to watch. Coach O'Brien has done a remarkable job of holding them together and engaging in team building activities. Due to transfers and scholarship limits, the team's depth could come into play, along with the challenge of maintaining motivation when the going gets tough, with no bowl game or championship available to play for. With the right breaks, this team could go 10-2, but under the circumstances, 5-7 is just as possible."
Donovan Neal, PSUMtnBike
"8-4: I don't think I've been this excited for a football season in years. The squad is fired up, the fans are pissed, and coach O'Brien appears to be the perfect hire. Is this part where I should show sympathy for the victims and apologize for something I had nothing to do with.. oh wait.. the culture right? Well this culture can have the biggest impact on how Penn State football will survive these next few years. Be loud, be proud, be there!"
Greg Pickel, GregPickel
"8-4: A win over Ohio State, Wisconsin, or Nebraska would be gravy for the Nittany Lions in O'Brien's first season on the sideline, and with a productive off-season, the key will be having that momentum continue into the opening month of the season. A 6-0 start is possible, but there is no sure-win games as in years past. The toss-up game for me is Purdue, a game sandwiched between back-to-back road trips, making 7-5 as likely as 8-4. The Boilermakers have been a punching bag for Penn State, but eight returning starters on offense is nothing to sneeze at."
Rob Riva, rriva
"8-4: Penn State has talent and leadership on both sides of the ball that will put the team in a position to win ball games this year. As the season wears on with injuries, the depth may become an issue. That being said, look for the Nittany Lions to surprise some folks and win eight."
