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Penn State Football: Nittany Lions look to rebound this week at Michigan State

By Barry Leonard Jr.

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans shakes hands with head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions after the game on November 26, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan State 45-12 clinching Big Ten East Division Champions. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans shakes hands with head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions after the game on November 26, 2016 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan State 45-12 clinching Big Ten East Division Champions. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Penn State needs to forget about what happened last week and move on to Michigan State this week. 

After a heartbreaking loss at Ohio State last week that included Penn State losing a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, the Nittany Lions head to East Lansing for another big game. The Spartans will be looking for revenge in the Big Ten East division matchup.

Last year’s game saw the Nittany Lions dominate Michigan State at Beaver Stadium. The 45-12 victory clinched Penn State’s spot in the Big Ten Championship and ended a three-game losing streak to the Spartans.

Penn State, playing its second tough conference road game in as many weeks, will need to quickly put last week’s loss to Ohio State in the past and focus on the rest of the season, starting with Michigan State. A spot in the College Football Playoff is still within reach for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions.

The Nittany Lions were shut down on offense last week and failed to put up 300 yards of total offense.

Entering the game at Ohio State and with the top scoring defense in the nation Penn State struggled and gave up 39 points and 529 total yards to the Buckeyes.

Star running back Saquon Barkley, a top contender for the Heisman Trophy, was held to just 44 yards on the ground, 36 of which came on a second-quarter touchdown run. He did start the game with a bang though by returning the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.

The loss to Ohio State dropped the Nittany Lions from No. 2 to No. 7 in the AP Poll.

For Michigan State, last week was also one to forget. The Spartans were beaten in triple overtime by Northwestern. Ranked No. 16 heading into the game, Michigan State dropped to No. 24 ahead of the battle with Penn State.

Next: Know Your Penn State Football Opponent: Michigan State

Saturday’s meeting between the Nittany Lions and the Spartans will be the 32nd in the history of the series. Both teams hold a 15-15-1 record against the other. Penn State will be looking for its first win in East Lansing since the 2009 season.

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