Penn State Football: Closing the Gap Against Michigan State

Win in East Lansing

Michigan State is not known for having a hostile home-field advantage. The reality is they don’t.

Yet, Franklin has only won once in East Lansing in four tries. The lone victory was arguably the worst team Mark Dantonio fielded.

One constant in this rivalry is the bad weather whenever the game is in East Lansing.

The game is always late in the season and susceptible to weather. The last two meetings for Penn State on the road have included a blizzard and a torrential downpour that lasted all game. Trust me, I was there for the rain that lasted all four hours during the game.

The weather is no excuse. Michigan State is playing under the same conditions. The always stout running defense that Penn State features seem to struggle against Michigan State.

Penn State Football’s defense has had all kinds of issues in East Lansing.

The defense is giving up almost 30 points a game when the game is played at Michigan State. When you compare that to the 22 points Penn State gives up at home against the Spartans, you see the problem.

Michigan State is by no means an offensive powerhouse that should average 30 points against the Nittany Lions. Penn State has a new defensive coordinator this season with Manny Diaz.

For Penn State Football to close the gap against Michigan State, Manny Diaz will have to slow down their offense in East Lansing. By the way, Michigan State torched Diaz’s defense last season when they faced Miami.