Penn State Football: 3 takeaways from loss at Michigan State

3. Saquon Barkley dropping in Heisman race

Over the past few weeks, Saquon Barkley has gone from the Heisman favorite to just another running back struggling in the Big Ten. Against Ohio State, he was held in check outside of a game-opening kickoff return touchdown. He has now been held under 100 rushing yards in six of the first nine games of the season. As a result, Barkley has had to find other ways to make a difference on the field to remain a contender in the Heisman race.

Michigan State, though, found the recipe to keep him in check. Utilizing linebackers to keep the running back in a blocking capacity, the Spartans neutralized Barkley in the run-pass option that Penn State likes to call. He finished the game against the Spartans with just 63 yards on 14 carries.

Barkley also struggled to make much noise in the passing game and on special teams. Michigan State astutely allowed just two returns for 15 total yards on kickoffs. He managed just three catches for 33 yards in the air. Barkley did also have a 20-yard pass completion, but it wasn’t enough to secure victory. All told, the Spartans effectively eliminated Barkley from the game plan and forced Penn State to depend on other offensive targets.

As a result, Barkley probably has next to no chance to hoist the most coveted individual trophy in college football. His reputation will probably still earn him an invitation to the Downtown Athletic Club in Manhattan on the second Saturday of December, but at this point he would have to rediscover his dominant form to have any shot at winning the award.