Michigan State got the best of the Nittany Lions in 2017, but even with some key departures, Penn State football will outperform the Spartans in 2018.
The Penn State Nittany Lions and Michigan State Spartans have one of the more quiet rivalries in college football. The Spartans lead the all-time series 16-15-1, however, since the introduction of the Land Grant Trophy, the Nittany Lions lead 14-8.
After almost 30 seasons of not playing one another, the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten in 1993, enabling the two teams to play each other each year. In 2011, the Big Ten acquired Nebraska, causing a realignment to the conference that forced the two teams to not play for three seasons. In 2014, the Big Ten went through another realignment, adding Maryland and Rutgers, and moved both the Nittany Lions and Spartans into the same division, renewing the rivalry.
Last seasons’ game, which saw a three-hour storm delay, was the deciding factor on who had the tiebreaker for second in the Big Ten East. Both teams finished the 2017 campaign with seven wins in conference play, 10+ total wins on the season and capped off their season with bowl wins.
For 2018, both teams have high expectations and playoff aspirations. And although their Oct. 13 matchup at Beaver Stadium could be the difference maker in the Big Ten Standings, Penn State should, and will have a better season than the Spartans; here’s why.