EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, October 13^th, the (3-2) Michigan State Spartans will be on the road to take on the (4-1) Penn State Nittany Lions.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Penn State 34.7 – Michigan State 23.4 with an over/under of 58.0.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Penn State 41 – Michigan State 21.

Mark is predicting a final score of Penn State 34 – Michigan State 13.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: Michigan State 266.8 YPG > Penn State 248.8 YPG

Rushing offense: Penn State 261.2 YPG > Michigan State 123.0 YPG

Scoring offense: Penn State 49.6 PPG > Michigan State 27.2 PPG

Scoring defense: Penn State 21.0 PPG > Michigan State 23.4 PPG

Passing defense: Penn State 192.6 YPG > Michigan State 305.2 YPG

Rushing defense: Michigan State 33.8 YPG > Penn State 161.8 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Penn State +0.2 > Michigan State 0.0

Summary:

Michigan State is (3-2) to start the season with wins over Utah State, Indiana, and Central Michigan.  They were defeated by Arizona State and Northwestern.  The Spartans rank 85^th in points per game (27.2) and 41^st in scoring defense (23.4 PPG).  Quarterback Brian Lewerke has completed 64% of his passes for 1,328 yards with 6 touchdowns to 6 interceptions.  The injury to running back L.J. Scott has been crippling to a Spartans offense that has struggled to score.  Michigan State has had no success running the football averaging just 3.4 yards per carry.  Felton Davis III leads the team in receiving with 374 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Spartans’ defense ranks 123^rd against the pass (305.2 YPG) and 1^st against the run (33.8 YPG).

Penn State is (4-1) with victories over Appalachian State, Pittsburgh, Kent State, and Illinois.  Their lone defeat was a heartbreaking 27-26 home loss to Ohio State.  The Nittany Lions rank 4^th in points per game (49.6) and 34^th in scoring defense (21.0 PPG).  Quarterback Trace McSorely has completed 52% of his passes for 1,049 yards with 10 touchdowns to 2 interceptions.  McSorely is also the team’s second leading rusher with 410 yards and 6 touchdowns.  Running back Miles Sanders has rushed for 538 yards and 6 touchdowns.  The electric K.J. Hamler leads the team in receiving with 308 yards and 4 touchdowns.  The Nittany Lions’ defense ranks 33^rd against the pass (192.6 YPG) and 67^th against the run (161.8 YPG).

Bottom Line:

Michigan State is leading the nation at stopping the run but that stat is hollow because of how awful they are against the pass. Trace McSorely’s dual threat ability will keep the Spartans defense off balance all game and the Nittany Lions will keep the Land Grant Trophy in their locker room.  Add in the fact that star running back L.J. Scott isn’t yet fully healthy, and this is a Penn State blowout at home.

Penn State wins 42-17

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