Penn State Football: 3 bold predictions vs Michigan State

Running Wild

The Michigan State Spartans have the best run defense in the country, allowing under 34 yards per game but have yet to seen an opposing running back run the ball more than 13 times in a game this season. With rankings of 51st, 62nd, 65th, 104th, and 129th, the rush offenses of the teams they have played have not been stellar this season, providing no real test to the Spartan rush defense. But with the Nittany Lions ranking inside the top 25 in terms of rush offense, they’ll face their biggest test of the season. And it will be a test in which they fail.

The Penn State offense is averaging over 260 yards on the ground this season and has scored 21 times on the run. And this game will continue that trend, as the Nittany Lions will rush for 300 yards this Saturday. 

Quarterback, Trace McSorley, and running back, Miles Sanders, will produce their usual numbers but will have support from freshman running back, Ricky Slade, and breakout receiver, KJ Hamler. With this many options on offense, it would be a tough task to not get anything going on the ground. McSorley’s ability to scramble will open up the offense, allowing both Sanders and Slade to have big days. Hamler may only run the ball once or twice, but will pick up big gains with what he gets.