Week two games of interest to Wisconsin Football fans

4 of 5

STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Amani Oruwariye #21 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after intercepting a pass in overtime to clinch the win against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Penn State at Pitt

8:00 p.m. ET

Another week two in-state rivalry for one of Wisconsin’s future opponents. And you can bet this one is on the list because it has a chance to get scary for the Big Ten participant. Especially since Penn State is on the road, unlike Iowa and Michigan.

Penn State was talked up as a College Football Playoff contender this season. Although Appalachian State is a great Group of 5 opponent, Penn State should not have needed anything close to overtime to beat the Mountaineers. What’s even worse, is Penn State allowed for App State to come back and take a late lead in this game. I was shocked to see the foot come off the gas like that from James Franklin.

Pitt won this game in 2016 after the series had been dormant for years. Last year’s edition wasn’t terribly close, but it was also in Happy Valley and Pitt hung in there and put up a decent fight.

This year’s game is all about the Nittany Lions. Penn State has something to prove after last week. It’s unfortunate that Pitt is in the crosshairs this weekend because I think Trace McSorley and Miles Sanders are going off.

Much like Michigan though, a slow start, close game, or any red flags could lead to another week of major discussion about where Penn State is headed this season post-Saquon Barkley.