Michigan State Spartans vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Preview
Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
When: Saturday, November 26, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Michigan State Spartans (+12.5) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (-12.5); total: 54.5 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the Michigan State Spartans (+12.5)
Michigan State almost pulled off the improbable on Saturday, losing by just one point to No. 2 Ohio State. The Spartans missed a 2-point conversion with 4:41 remaining to fall just short of their upset bid. They have another chance, however, to play spoiler in the Big Ten title race when they lock horns with Penn State this coming Saturday.
For the Spartans to record a major shock this coming weekend, they will need to get another solid performance from running back LJ Scott. He ran for a career-high 160 yards and a score against Ohio State while also catching a 64-yard touchdown pass. Scott has run for more than 100 yards in four of his last five games. He will be licking his chops at the prospect of dissecting a Penn State defensive line that’s allowing 149.6 rushing yards per game this season, 44th in the entire nation.
The Spartans may be 12.5-point underdogs but they will still fancy their chances against the Lions as they have fared extremely well against them of late. Michigan State has won each of its last three meetings with Penn State. The Spartans have covered the spread in all of those three games. The Spartans thrashed the Lions, 55-16, last season.
Michigan State is 1-3 SU and ATS on the road this season.
Betting on the Penn State Nittany Lions (-12.5)
Penn State extended its winning streak to seven games with a resounding 39-0 victory over Rutgers on Saturday. It was another convincing performance by the Nittany Lions who recorded their third straight series victory over the Scarlet Knights. Sequon Barkley starred for Penn State in this win, rushing for 92 yards and a score. He has rushed for 1,205 yards and 14 touchdowns on 216 carries for the Nittany Lions this season.
What proved to be the difference in the contest, though, was Penn State’s outstanding defense. The Lions limited Rutgers to just 87 total yards, including 39 on the ground. Such was Penn State’s defensive pressure that Rutgers converted just one of its 14 third-down attempts in this game. The Lions will need to produce that same kind of defensive effort if they are to beat Michigan State this coming weekend. The Buckeyes are 22nd in the FBS in total defense, allowing just 347.1 yards per game this season.
The Lions will need to stay calm, though, in this contest as history beckons for their side. If Ohio State takes care of business and defeats Michigan for the 12th time in 13 years, Penn State will take the field on Saturday night with a chance to go to the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis by virtue of its dramatic 24-21 come-from-behind win over Ohio State earlier this season. The Lions will feel confident of their chances as they have been unstoppable at home this season. They are a perfect 6-0 at Beaver Stadium this campaign.
Penn State is 3-2-1 ATS at home this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Penn State wins but Michigan State (+12.5) covers.
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