Penn State Football: Can Nittany Lions end skid vs. Michigan State?

Penn State football looks to keep its playoff hopes alive. But will the Spartans of Michigan State spoil their season for the third year in a row?

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 7-0 first time in 20 years. Penn State took care of their non-conference schedule with ease and after a couple blowout wins versus Maryland and Purdue, the Nittany Lions have held strong, taking care of business in close affairs against Iowa and Michigan.

Penn State seems to be a year ahead of schedule but don’t tell them that, as they enter each week with a 1-0 mentality.

The Michigan State Spartans have had a very dismal season. Fresh off their bye week, the Spartans enter this match up with a 4-3 record, including two consecutive loses to Wisconsin and Ohio State. In those two losses, the Spartans were outscored 72-10, shining no light on either side of the ball. But a win over Penn State could turn things around for the Spartans.

For the past two season the Spartans have gotten the better of Penn State, however, the Nittany Lions were fresh off a loss to Ohio State in both of those games. With an undefeated season on the line, can the Nittany Lions get rid of their ghost from seasons past?

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s game between Penn State and Michigan State:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Venue: Spartan Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

For the Penn State Nittany Lions, they’ll need to remained focused on that 1-0 mentality. They’re coming off back-to-back hard-fought games and this as the making of a potential upset.

On offense, they need to let it fly and get Sean Clifford going early. The sophomore has been great this season and will need to have a big game. On defense, Penn State needs to continue its season trend of getting behind the line of scrimmage. Applying pressure on the quarterback will force several turnovers.

For the Michigan State Spartans, forcing Penn State into tough third down situations will keep the Spartans alive. On offense, the Spartans need to get the run game going and win the battle of time of possession. Penn State has one of the best offenses in the country, while the Spartans have been at the bottom of the pack, so winning a shootout is unlikely for Michigan State.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of The Action Network

Point Spread: Penn State -6
Over/under: 43.5

Prediction

Weather could be a factor in this match up and both teams will look to get their run games going and their defenses applying pressure. The Spartans play it close in the first but this is not going to be repeat of the past two seasons. Penn State’s defense provides headaches for the Spartan offense, forcing several turnovers throughout the game. Micah Parsons hits double digits in tackles, lending support to Clifford and the Penn State offense, as the Nittany Lions remain undefeated.

Final Score: Penn State 31, Michigan State 13