Just two postseasons ago, Penn State played in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Yet six games into the 2025 season, it fired its head coach, and it wasn’t a surprising move to many.Entering 2026, the program has completely revamped its roster and identity, with former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell set for his first season in Happy Valley as the program’s new leader. His first Big Ten home game will be the school’s homecoming and Wisconsin is the opponent. This will be another difficult game for the Badgers to emerge victorious, but they can certainly exude signs of progress by playing Penn State tough on the road. With a difficult-season opener at Lambeau, and this game posing arguably an equally as difficult task, it will be crucial for Wisconsin to take care of Western Illinois and Eastern Michigan before this contest.How 2025 endedFollowing James Franklin’s firing, the Nittany Lions faced a brutal three-game stretch. With games at Iowa and Ohio State, followed by a meeting with the eventual national champion Indiana, interim head coach Terry Smith started his run 0-3. Penn State did, however, play Indiana closer than any other team, and lost following a spectacular game-winning drive and touchdown catch.After that gauntlet, the Nittany Lions found a rhythm to close the season, winning their final three regular-season games over Michigan State, Nebraska and Rutgers.The three-game win streak saved the program’s bowl eligibility, which allowed it to head to New York City and defeat Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl.After losing to Northwestern and firing its head coach, then losing the next three games as well, many thought Penn State’s season was over, but Smith rallied his group to close the season on a high note.Key lossesWhere I felt the Nittany Lions lost the most this offseason was through the draft, not the transfer portal. Olaivavega Ioane went in the top-15 of the NFL Draft and his departure left a gaping hole to be filled on the offensive line. As much as Penn State fans have complained about Drew Allar over the years, his season-ending injury derailed the season nearly as much, if not more, than the head coach being fired in 2025. He was also selected in the NFL draft, in the third round. His departure will affect the 2026 team less than most teams replacing a quarterback because Campbell brought so much of his Iowa State team with him, but it’s still arguably the biggest change to the Penn State roster.Jun 9, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar (16) participates in drills during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesThe highest-drafted Nittany Lion on the defensive side was Dani Dennis-Sutton, who totaled 8.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons. Luke Fickell and his staff prepared for him back in 2024, and I imagine his absence will be notable for the staff preparing a new game plan for this game in September.Key additionsAs I mentioned, Matt Campbell completely overhauled the roster, including a lot of his own guys from Iowa State. The headliner will be quarterback Rocco Becht at quarterback. His best season came in 2024 when he threw for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns. Luckily for Wisconsin, it will have already faced CJ Carr in the season-opener, so the jump from the quarterback play of Western Illinois and Eastern Michigan to Becht shouldn’t catch the defense off guard, but I expect Becht to play a huge role in the outcome of this game. Beaver Stadium will be by far the most hostile environment Colton Joseph has ever played in, which is why I think Marcus Neal Jr. may be the Penn State newcomer who poses the most significant threat to Wisconsin. The junior safety from Iowa State had 77 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and two interceptions in 2025. For the Badgers to have a chance in this game, they'll need to establish the run and not turn the ball over. Whether Neal steps up to plug gaps in the run game, or lurks in the secondary to try to force a mistake from Joseph, he is a defensive player that could make a play that kills Wisconsin’s chance for an upset. With so many transfers–from Iowa State and elsewhere–this Penn State team will look essentially nothing like the one Fickell faced in 2024, but Becht and Neal are the guys on each side of the ball I think have the highest chance of determining the outcome of this contest.2026 outlookIt seems unfair to place College Football Playoff expectations on a first-year head coach, but I think Campbell and Penn State have a favorable path to do so. Given it’s the first year of a program overhaul, I don’t think Penn State fans would be too upset with an 8-4 or 9-3 season that ends with a quality bowl game, but looking at the schedule, I don’t think there’s any reason competing for a playoff spot isn’t a reasonable goal. The Penn State Nittany Lions run onto the field to play Minnesota in a White Out game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College. Penn State won, 45-17.