An important piece for Michigan State, C John Masters, left last week’s Purdue game with a leg injury. He’s questionable for Saturday.
As far as pro-Penn State factors in this matchup, that’s about it.
Michigan State has a history, or at least a reputation, for playing good opponents tough and then collapsing against people it should beat.
But the Spartans have a new coach, Mark Dantonio, and have clearly bought what he’s selling. They came back from blowing a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead against archrival Michigan two weeks back to smash Purdue last week.
Michigan State the only team in the Big Ten that’s averaging over 200 yards a game rushing and passing. Despite being 2-5 in the league, it’s outgaining league foes by nearly 70 yards per game. It has some of the best kick-return units in the country, and Penn State’s kick-return units stink.
At least right now, Michigan State is a much better team than its record. They’re feeling good about themselves, Saturday is Senior Day, they have a chance to pretty much clinch a bowl bid. And they’re still, no doubt, pissed about the Michigan game.
Penn State’s lot is largely cast, by contrast. Win or lose Saturday, it’s going to a mid-level bowl. The vague feel around the program is that minds are already on next season.
Sure, there is the magic that happens when the Land Grant Trophy is up for grabs.
Right.
The tangibles here aren’t a mismatch, The intangibles are. It’s hard to imagine a game where all the mental/emotional/motivational stuff appears to stack up more powerfully against the Nittany Lions
Michigan State 33, Penn State 20.
