Michigan State Cannot Overlook Penn State in Big Ten Clash
Week 13 of the college football regular season features a Big Ten clash that could have College Football Playoff implications when the Penn State Nittany Lions visit the No. 6 ranked Michigan State Spartans.
The current line has Michigan State favored by 10.5 points with the over/under point total sitting on 44.
Penn State has an overall record on the season of 7-4 straight up and 4-7 against the spread. The Nittany Lions on the road are 0-3 SU and ATS. Michigan State overall on the season is 10-1 SU and 4-7 ATS. At home, the Spartans are 6-0 SU and 2-4 ATS.
The Spartans cannot afford to lose this game if they have any hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff. Michigan State is currently No. 5 in the rankings of the CFP but just four teams are selected. However, if they win their last two games of the season, they could find themselves in the CFP.
The Spartans season changed with its 17-14 victory on the road over Ohio State last week. Connor Cook the Spartans starting quarterback sat out the win over the Buckeyes and his playing status is unknown for this game. His playing status will be determined at game time.
Penn State is moving in the wrong direction as it arrives in East Lansing. After going 7-1 during one stretch, the Nittany Lions have lost two straight to Northwestern and Michigan.
Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg likely endured the worst game of his 2015 season in the loss to Michigan. He threw for just 137 yards and completed just 42% of his passes in the loss.
A win will clinch the East Division of the Big Ten for Michigan State and a trip to the conference title game versus Iowa, which is currently the No. 4 ranked team in the CFP rankings.
Michigan State has allowed a combined 21 points in its past two games after allowing 21 or more points in each of the five previous games.
Penn State is No. 1 in the country in sacks per game with an average of 4.
The series between the team is tied at 14-14-1.
The favorite has covered the number in each of the past 4 games between the two teams.
Michigan State is much more talented than Penn State but the Nittany Lions will hold their own in this. In the end, Michigan State will win, but Penn State will cover the number.
