Penn State vs Michigan State +7.5 O/U 49.5
ποΈ Game Details
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing
- Broadcast: CBS
π Team Records & Odds
- Penn State: 3β6 overall, 0β6 Big Ten
- Michigan State: 3β6 overall, 0β6 Big Ten
- Spread: Penn State -7
- Over/Under: 49.5 points
π Offensive Leaders
| Category | Penn State | Michigan State |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Ethan Grunkemeyer: 103/159, 1,100 yds, 8 TD, 3 INT | A. Chiles: 128/203, 1,392 yds, 10 TD, 3 INT |
| RB | Kaytron Allen: 138 carries, 736 yds, 10 TD | Makhi Frazier: 108 carries, 493 yds, 2 TD |
| WR | Trebor Pena: 32 rec, 331 yds, 1 TD | Nick Marsh: 46 rec, 554 yds, 5 TD |
π‘οΈ Defensive Leaders
- Penn State: DE Dani Dennis-Sutton β 3 sacks
- Michigan State: DE Michael Spencer β team leader in sacks
π Team Stats
- Penn State Offense: 335.7 yards per game (110th in FBS)
- Passing: 184.7 ypg (110th)
- Rushing: Balanced attack led by Allen & Singleton
- Penn State Defense: 325.8 yards allowed per game (33rd nationally)
- Michigan State Offense: Slightly stronger passing game with Chiles & Marsh
- Michigan State Defense: Struggling with injuries, multiple starters out
π Game Context
- Rivalry: The matchup is for the Land Grant Trophy, a traditional rivalry prize between the two schools.
- Records: Both teams sit at 3β6 overall and 0β6 in Big Ten play, making this a battle to avoid finishing winless in conference.
- Recent Form:
- Penn State nearly upset No. 2 Indiana last week, losing 27β24 after surrendering a late touchdown.
- Michigan State fell in overtime to Minnesota, 23β20, extending its losing streak to six games.
π Key Storylines
- Coaching Turmoil: Penn State fired longtime coach James Franklin a month ago. Interim coach Terry Smith is trying to salvage the season.
- Michigan State Woes: The Spartans are dealing with vacated wins from past seasons due to ineligible players, plus multiple injuries across the roster.
- Quarterback Watch: MSU redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic showed promise in his first start against Minnesota, and could be key against Penn Stateβs defense.
- Penn Stateβs Close Calls: Despite their record, the Nittany Lions have lost five Big Ten games by a combined 16 points, showing theyβve been competitive.
Prediction:
- Penn State literally went through a gauntlet of opponents after their Northwestern loss.Β Β Losing by one to Iowa, playing a strong first half against Ohio State before the crumble, and almost beating Indiana straight up.
- To be honest, I honestly do not see how this team could keep going more less laying over seven points on the road.
- Michigan State is coming off of the bye week recharged and ready to roll.Β As bad as this team has looked this year, they still only have a net negative .51 yards per play on a pretty rough schedule.
- Penn State has a +.21 net yards per play, but this team is struggling with a backup quarterback.
- Another thing that I like for Sparty is that the team benched struggling quarterback Aiden Childs for Alessio Milivojevic.Β Β This kid has played pretty well thus far, and should be able to lead this team going forward.
- Michigan State is in a good spot this week.Β Β I believe that coach Jonathan Smith will get his guys motivated to try and make a bowl game.Β Β I am just not sure what Penn State cares about this point with preseason playoff expectations.Β Take the dog.
Michigan State +7.5 – 2.5 stars
Colorado State vs New Mexico -14.5 O/U 53.5
- This is an under the radar Mountain West game that I feel has some value.
- The Lobos are a force to be reckoned with.Β With the San Diego State loss, this team has a shot to make the Mountain West championship game.
- Colorado State on the other hand is a hopeless team.Β Β They only have two wins with no chance of making a bowl game.
- This Rams team has a -1.35 yards per play.Β They are rank 95th in offensive EPA and 118th on defense.
- The Lobos are a powerful mountain west team with solid numbers.Β Β New Mexico ranks 41st in offensive EPA and 68th in defensive success rate.Β Β They have some nice wins against Utah State and UCLA.Β I think that the Lobos can clean up here pretty well coming off the bye week.Β Β I’ll lay the points.
New Mexico -14.5 – 2 stars










