Gametime: 3:30 pm

Records: Michigan State 6-5 (4-3); Penn State: 9-2 (5-2)

Series Record: Penn State leads, 13-12-1

TV: ABC

Audio: Here

Weather: A little sun, a little cloud. 50-something degrees

They're playing for this thing, so you know it's important.

Penn State is back in the top 15 and suddenly there's a little bit of talk about the possibility that the team could squeak back into a BCS game. Fourteenth, PSU's current ranking, is as low as it gets when choosing at-large bids. Sure, some other teams would have to lose in other places, but it's possible, so long as PSU takes care of business against Michigan State.

The Spartan's are kind of a hard to team to get a read on right now. Their best win is against Michigan from early in the season, and have since lost to Iowa and Minnesota in conference play. They also have losses to mighty Central Michigan and Notre Dame, but it seems like they've been slinging the ball over the field at will.

Michigan State leads the conference in passing as they've thrown for 274 yards per game.  Kirk Cousins has been effective for the Spartan's completing 17 TD passes and only 5 interceptions.  When you factor in their 139 ypg rushing, Michigan State is leading the Big11Ten in total offense with 413 ypg. They're also near the top of the conference in scoring offense, averagine 31 points per game. For a team we haven't noticed all season except for when they let everyone down against Notre Dame, those are pretty good numbers.

Cousins' favorite target, Blair White, has been an excellent player all year. He's caught 61 passes this season for 8 TDs and 854 yards.  Larry Caper has been their leading rusher, although with only 411 yards on the season.  Edwin Baker, Keyshawn Martin and Glenn Winston have also made large contribution through the season, allowing the Spartan's to run for those 139 ypg as a team.

Of course, the part of MSU we're interested in his the defense.

They are middle of the pack in scoring and rushing defense, but dead last in passing defense, allowing 245 yards per game through the air. We like that matchup -- a lot.  Clark's always played well so we really like his chances against a shaky secondary that has been outperformed by everyone else in the Big11Ten.  They've always allowed 24 touchdowns through the air, 7 more than Indiana, the next closest team.

We're excited for a game between two teams that can whip the ball around as it should make for an exciting matchup. The Lions have that extra bit of motivation as they try to  keep their BCS hopes alive and hopefully, remind Michigan State what part of the conference they belong in.

Michigan State is also trying to boost their bowl status and maybe get up out of the Pizza Bowl and into something more respectable, like the Insight Bowl.

Dantonio is a joke.

OUT.

Michigan State Player(s) To Watch: Blair White

He's a big time receiving threat so you just know he's going to do something against PSU. That's how it always works. It's inevitable.

Penn State Player(s) To Watch: Daryll Clark

That Michigan State pass defense is not very good and Clark will be looking to rebound after a shaky game last week.  It's also the last regular season game for a lot of guys, including Clark, so he and all the other seniors should be primed for a big game.

3 Bold Predictions:

• Clark will throw for 300+ yards.
  
• 1 on the ground and 1 through the air for Royster
• Sean Lee will injure someone.

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