ESPN College GameDay 2016: TV Schedule and Predictions for Week 14 Location

For the third time in four years, ESPN's College GameDay crew will head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship Game:

This time, the game will feature the third- and fourth-best teams in the conference in a showdown of unexpected programs when the No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers clash with the No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday.

With potential College Football Playoff implications on the line, neither team can afford a mistake with both the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines looking to benefit from a hiccup by other playoff hopefuls.

Below, let's take a look at everything you need to know about the title game.

College GameDay Week 14 Info     

Date: Saturday, Dec. 3

Time (ET): 9 a.m. to noon (kickoff at 8 p.m.)

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Watch: ESPN (game on Fox)

Live Stream: WatchESPN, Fox Sports Go

Preview

Wisconsin, the Big Ten West representative, recovered from a rough October stretch to win six games in a row, averaging 42.7 points per contest over its last three.

The defensive-minded team looked iffy at best after losing to then-No. 4 Michigan and then-No. 2 Ohio State in back-to-back weeks. Downing six teams in a row, including then-No. 7 Nebraska, has a way of making up for hiccups.

That's something Penn State knows about as well. The Nittany Lions were upset by Pittsburgh in September and fell to then-No. 4 Michigan a few weeks later in blowout fashion, 49-10.

But eight straight wins have Penn State where it wants to be, especially after pulling off an upset that kept Ohio State from seizing the division title.

On paper, Wisconsin appears to have an advantage in several areas. For one, the program boasts more experience in big games, with Penn State still recovering from prior sanctions.

Putting experience aside, the Badgers rank third in scoring defense at 13.7 points per game, and their two-quarterback approach with Alex Hornibrook and Bart Houston isn't an issue when running back Corey Clement shreds defenses to the tune of 1,140 yards and 13 scores.

Penn State, though, has sheer hype going for it after an unexpected return to relevance.

"Yeah, there's a huge buzz going around right now," defensive end Evan Schwan said, per Stats LLC (via ESPN.com). "Before I got here, I always heard that whenever Penn State is playing well, Happy Valley is that much happier."

Penn State has held three of its last four opponents to 14 points or fewer, and in the upset win over Ohio State, the Nittany Lions limited the explosive Buckeyes to 21 points. It helps when the ball-control offense gives it to a back such as Saquon Barkley, who boasts 1,219 yards and 15 touchdowns on the year.

Barkley recently suffered an injury in a win against Michigan State, but Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports noted he should be good to go for the title game:

The Nittany Lions will need Barkley at full strength if they are to overcome such a defense. Quarterback Trace McSorley has thrown for 21 touchdowns with five interceptions, but his 56.3 completion percentage suggests he wouldn't fare well in a one-dimensional look.

Prediction

Las Vegas has the Badgers as one-point favorites going into Saturday, according to Odds Shark.

This sort of line speaks to how evenly matched the two sides seem, with an over/under of 47 doing the same.

Even though this seems like a strength vs. strength matchup, it is Wisconsin's sort of game. Selling out to stop Barkley while forcing McSorley out of his comfort zone is a surefire strategy.

Wisconsin has been here before. Penn State, on the other hand, has relied on late-game heroics to make it to this point. With the lead in hand, the Badgers can prevent any late issues by riding Clement and one of the nation's top defenses.

Prediction: Wisconsin 24, Penn State 17

Stats and information courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Follow Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) on Twitter.