Penn State Football: 3 keys to beating Michigan State

Avoid the Michigan State Trap

Michigan State enters this game in familiar territory when facing Penn State, as a two touchdown underdog.

The Spartans were responsible for two of the most crushing losses Penn State football has experienced in the James Franklin era when during both the 2017 and 2018 seasons. In ’17, Michigan State was a walk off winner thanks to a game winning field goal and and in 2018 it was more heartbreak when quarterback Brian Lewerke hit Felton Davis for a game winning touchdown with :19 seconds left on the clock.

In both these games Penn State was ranked inside the top 10 and was a double digit favorite in both. Saturday’s clash obviously does not hold the weight of those prior games, but after a brutal 0-5 start to the season, the Nittany Lions have a chance to end it on a high note, winning four straight and potentially earning a bowl bid in which they could wrap up the year 5-5.

This Spartans team is similar to those in years past in that they seem to play up and down to their competition. Michigan States two victories have come against Michigan, a game in which they were three touchdown underdogs, and Northwestern, who was ranked 8th in the country at the time. They also lost week one to a Rutgers team that finished 1-11 in 2019, turning the ball over seven times.

Penn State must stay focused on being 1-0 this week and not fall victim like teams of the past years under Franklin. They need to handle their business as they attempt to make something of this whacky season and send the seniors out on the right note.