College Football Prediction: Wisconsin Will Clinch Leaders Division

It all comes down to the final game between Penn State and Wisconsin to see who will be the first one ever to clinch the Leaders Division. The winner will be the second team to receive a spot in the Big Ten Championship.

Penn State needs two wins to get it all. They needed to beat Ohio State. They did that. Now this upcoming Saturday, they need to beat Wisconsin.

The Nittany Lions may be out of luck. They are playing in Wisconsin at the Camp Randall Stadium. 

It will be a winner-takes-all battle between the two, but in the end, it will be the Badgers emerging as the victor.

Rushing

Wisconsin has the number one rushing offense in the Big Ten.

Penn State has the number three rushing defense in the Big Ten.

Who will come out on top?

The Badgers have rushed for 39 TDs this season and have averaged 245.1 rushing yards a game.

The Nittany Lions have limited their opponents to only 13 rushing TDs and 127.4 yards a game.

Monte Ball, the Wisconsin running back, is quick on his feet and rushes an average of 133.3 yards a game. If Penn State fails to hold in this running back, who is responsible for 25 rushing touchdowns, Ball will be taking names as he runs his way to help Wisconsin clinch the Leaders Division.

Passing

Wisconsin relies more on their running game on offense, but that is not to say that the passing game is not any good. Russell Wilson has thrown for 26 touchdowns this season. Penn State has a solid pass defense, limiting their opponents to throw an average of 160 yards a game.

The Badgers are facing a pretty decent defensive line, but it will be one that they will break through. They are number one in the Big Ten in total offense. They average about 7.3 yards a play. They will get something going.

Penn State is number three in total defense, as they've allowed an average of 267.4 yards a game.

It's going to be interesting to see a movable Wisconsin offense battle against Penn State, who has done well in limiting their opponents.

Defense

While Penn State is number three in total defense, Wisconsin is one above them.

At home, the Badgers have allowed 92 first downs this season. That's an average of about 15 first downs a game for their opponents. Yikes. The Nittany Lions are 10th in the Big Ten in total offense. Even if Penn State defense limits the Badgers, it won't do much good if they don't get anything going on offense.

Penn State quarterback Matthew McGloin might want to keep a sharp eye out during this game. Wisconsin has intercepted nine balls at home this season.

Turnovers

Wisconsin has been strong in the turnover margins this year. They are number one in the Big Ten, with Penn State trailing number three.

Wisconsin has less fumble and interception losses in the Big Ten and are facing a team that has the second most total gain in turnovers. If Wisconsin can force Penn State to turn over the ball more than once, they will be able to gain extra momentum in the game.

The Badgers forced four turnovers against Illinois in their recent game, which was too much for the Fighting Illini to overcome.

If Wisconsin does the same to the Nittany Lions, they may have this game locked and sealed on their home turf.

Home Field Advantage

Since 2005, the Badgers are 43-4 at home. They have a strong home field advantage. The last time Wisconsin lost at home was in 2009 vs Iowa. Their consecutive home wins will continue. Here is how the home field affects the Badgers.

So far this season, Wisconsin has scored 27 rushing touchdowns at home compared to the 12 they've scored on the road. Their passing touchdowns are similar both at home and on the road. The Badgers feed off the home crowd.

The home field might give Wisconsin the extra boost in their last game. Both teams will be fighting their hardest against one another. It is going to be an entertaining and strong game.

However, it's going to be the Badgers that will overcome the Nittany Lions.

Unless the Nittany Lions can pull off a Hail Mary.