Penn State at Michigan State: Prediction roundtable

Barry Leonard, Co-Site Expert

I know, I know, it seems like all doom and gloom around the program right now. Trust me, I get it. If Penn State had been able to finish at Ohio State the Nittany Lions would likely be sitting with the No. 1 ranking in the CFP. However, that didn’t happen, and it’s time to keep moving forward and pile up the wins.

Head coach James Franklin knows what he has to do to get his Nittany Lions into the College Football Playoff. Aside from rooting for some chaos from the teams in front of them, the Nittany Lions need to win big in the remaining games.

I’m expecting and explosive game from the offense. Another 200-yard all-purpose performance from Saquon Barkley is exactly what the doctor ordered. Of course, like every team Penn Sate has faced this year, Michigan State will undoubtedly stack the box in hopes of containing Barkley. If and when that happens, it’ll be up to McSorley to make plays through the air.

Michigan State has been decent against the run this year, but ranks in the middle of the Big Ten against the pass. Look for McSorley to air it out to guys like Mike Gesicki, DeAndre Thompkins, and DaeSean Hamilton.

On defense, the Nittany Lions will lick their wounds form last week and attempt to get back to being the dominant defense they’ve been all season. Even after allowing 39 points a week ago, Penn State still ranks second in the conference — giving up just over 13 points per game.

This one won’t be a shutout — Michigan State will find the scoreboard, and perhaps even before Penn State does. However, it won’t last. While a slow start can be expected, look for Penn State to quickly get going. (Remember the slow start we all thought would happen at Northwestern?)

Penn State gets back in the win column this week in a big way and then roots for upsets galore!

Penn State 45
Michigan State 17