State is a 13.5-point favorite vs visiting Michigan State

Penn State looks to rebound from first loss of the season

Prior to its bye week, Penn State collided with then-No. 4 Ohio State at Beaver Stadium. Things were looking good for the Nittany Lions to improve to 5-0 on the season as they led the Buckeyes 26-14 with eight minutes remaining in the game. But two late strikes by Dwayne Haskins led to a narrow 27-26 Ohio State win in Week 5. Penn State currently has had two weeks to stew over this loss and will look to release that anger upon Michigan State at Week 7.
Penn State has a tremendous offense that has averaged 49.6 points each game, fifth-most in the nation. The Nittany Lions are led by senior dual-threat quarterback Trace McSorley, who’s thrown for 1,049 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 410 yards and six TDs too. Furthermore, they possess junior running Miles Sanders, who ranks 26th in the NCAA with 538 rushing yards and has scored six touchdowns. Defensively, Penn State has allowed 21 points per game which ranks 34th in the nation, and senior cornerback Amani Oruwariye has made passing tough since he’s two interceptions.
This past year, Michigan State hosted Penn State and pulled off the upset since it was rated No. 24 while the Nittany Lions were ranked No. 7. Penn State carried a 24-21 lead into the fourth quarter but was shut out and hauled to only 87 yards in the last quarter, while Michigan State finished two field goals to secure the 27-24 win. The Spartans limited the Nittany Lions to only 65 rushing yards in the game, including shutting down Saquon Barkley for only 63 yards. Then-sophomore Brian Lewerke tossed 400 yards and two touchdowns in the win, while Trace McSorley threw a season-high 381 yards while tacking on three touchdowns of his own about the side.
Michigan State struggling offensively this year Michigan State saw its two-game winning streak come to a conclusion last week since it fell 29-19 to Northwestern, the Spartans’ second loss of the season. Michigan State appeared to be trending in the right direction prior to the reduction, setting up 66 combined points in its own victories over Indiana and Central Michigan while racking up 695 total yards of offense. However, turnovers were still a glaring issue as junior quarterback Brian Lewerke threw two touchdowns but also threw three interceptions in these 2 games.
The Spartans typical 27.2 points per game, which is 85th in the country, and Lewerke has thrown for 1,328 yards with six TDs and six interceptions on the year. Defensively, however, Michigan State has been very strong, permitting 23.4 points per game, which is 41st at the NCAA, and giving up only 33.8 rush yards per game, that is the best mark in the country with a long shot. Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes was a nightmare for offensive linemen, racking up four sacks and 16 solo tackles throughout the first five matches. The Spartans will need to stop the Nittany Lions run sport whenever they want an opportunity to win.

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