Penn State Football 2018: Three Nittany Lions to Watch Against Michigan State
By Corey Hunter
Who are the Penn State players worth keeping an eye on against Michigan State this Saturday?
After a gut-wrenching defeat at the hands of Ohio State two weekends ago, Penn State returns to action this weekend with another opponent looking to make their mark on the Big Ten season – Michigan State.
The Spartans are coming off a home loss to Northwestern last weekend, 29-19, and will be looking to avoid consecutive losses since losing the final two games of the 2016 season. Michigan State Head Coach Mark D’antonio’s once-promising season could be on the verge of collapse if they lose to Penn State this weekend, with their annual rivalry against Michigan next weekend. They also play Ohio State in mid-November. So, this weekend represents a pivotal juncture in the Spartans season.
The same can be said for Penn State.
Two weeks ago Penn State had the game against the Buckeyes on their fingertips and let it slip away. For the second straight season the Nittany Lions were controlling play for three quarters and entered the fourth quarter with a double-digit lead. And, just like in 2017 when the Nittany Lions let a 19-point lead evaporate, Penn State once again allowed Ohio State to rally, this time from 13 points down, to win in the late stages of the game.
The difference between last year and this, Penn State had to turn right around and travel to Michigan State last season and endure a three-hour rain storm before eventually succumbing to Sparty on a last-second field goal – all but ending any playoff hopes the Lions still harbored. This year, Penn State was able to enjoy a bye week, rest up, and fully focus on rebuilding the dam, so to speak.
Even Trace McSorley admitted at the end of last season that the Nittany Lions allowed the loss to Ohio State to creep into their minds while they were out in East Lansing. This season, as soon as the Ohio State game was over, McSorley and the other captains made an impassioned speech to let the players know that their full focus and attention needs to shift towards Michigan State, to leave the past in the past.
It will be interesting to see if the Nittany Lions follow their captains’ advice. To me, the game this week, and the game next week at Indiana, will tell more about what this Penn State squad is capable of the rest of this year, than will “big games” against the likes of Michigan and Wisconsin.
So, should you be watching this weekend as Penn State looks to get back on the winning side of the ledger? Take a look in our three Nittany Lions to watch for Michigan State.