Penn State Football’s 2021 schedule: Ranking Nittany Lions’ toughest games

8. Michigan State

The battle for the Land Grant trophy was moved back to the last week of the season when the Big Ten announced some schedule changes yesterday for the 2021 season.

Penn State Football defeated the Spartans in Week 8 of this past season 39-24, but it appeared coach Mel Tucker found his quarterback in Payton Thorne that afternoon when he threw for 325 yards and three scores.

Michigan State has been a thorn in the side for Franklin in years past, especially when traveling to East Lansing in late November where you almost have to expect some type of bad weather. An unmotivated two or three loss Penn State Football team could easily falter in this spot. However, time will tell on implications.

Sparty is building and should be improved next season, however they lack the stingy defense that was their calling card under former head coach mark Dantonio. This one has all the makings, even almost a year in advance, of an ugly, old school Big Ten battle.

Franklin can never be too comfortable when matching up with Michigan State.