Penn State Football: Closing the Gap Against Michigan State

Youth has to beat experience

Penn State Football and Michigan State have built their programs completely opposite of each other.

Penn State Football focuses on building its program through recruiting and development. Michigan State constructs its team through the transfer portal.

This creates a matchup of a Michigan State team with players that have a lot of experience. Typically, against a Penn State Football team that relies heavily on second and third-year players.

Penn State Football has had a talent advantage against Michigan State since 2016. I don’t see that changing based on James Franklin’s recruiting success.

This is where development and coaching come into play. Penn State has to get their players to show up against Michigan State. I get that there’s not always a lot to play for. This game is routinely one of the last games of the season. The problem with that is every loss hurts you in the future with recruiting and confidence against an opponent.

It’s up to Franklin to use the youth of his teams to his advantage. Every team is beaten up towards the end of the season. Penn State Football has better depth with the younger players.

If Franklin can have these younger players ready to go by the end of the season, Penn State can close the gap against Michigan State.