Michigan State is 6-5, but it’s about half-a-dozen plays away from 9-2, and does not have the stat profile of a .500 club. It has the best quarterback in the Big Ten (Kirk Cousins), some good wideouts, a mediocre (at best) defense with one great player (MLB Greg Jones) and special teams vastly superior to Penn State’s.
There’s also a weird feeling about the psychology of this. There’s been all this BCS talk around the Lions, but deep inside they must know they haven’t earned it. And even if they win today, a BCS invite isn’t up to them. It’s about business and TV ratings, etc.
It doesn’t add up to a great motivational situation.
Michigan State 27, Penn State 17.
