Game 6: Michigan State, Beaver Stadium, 3:30PM, BTN

[Judge Smails]

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...chigan-state-pass-rush-penn-state/1594781002/

With a trip to Penn State looming on Saturday (3:30 p.m., BTN), the defensive line will again be tasked with creating hefty pressure to disrupt quarterback Trace McSorley.

To the Spartans’ credit last year, they were able to get to McSorley consistently enough to disrupt him. He was sacked three times in the 27-24 MSU victory — two of those coming on the Nittany Lions’ final drive, where they failed to put up any points. Of McSorley’s three interceptions that day, two were the direct result of rushed throws.

"He loves to get out of the pocket,” Panasiuk said of McSorley. “It’s a big emphasis this week. We’re just going to try and contain him inside and try getting him to overall.”

The Nittany Lions are also a team that relies heavily on the run, unlike many of Michigan State's opponents thus far this season. They rank No. 12 in the nation with 261.2 yards rushing per game. Saquon Barkley is gone, but Miles Sanders has taken his spot. Between the run-pass option and threat of McSorley scrambling out of the pocket, Panasiuk said the game plan has been flexible.

“I think going into every week, we obviously question if teams are going to want to run the ball against us or if they’re going to want to pass the ball,” Panasiuk said. “I just think, keying (McSorley) as an individual is going to help us.”

In the battle for the Land Grant Trophy, Willis said limiting the big play will be crucial for a struggling Spartan defense.

“We got to play good ball,” Willis said. “There’s no secret in what we need to do defensively. We got to limit explosive plays. They have big-play receivers with a big-play quarterback, dual-threat."

 

[Judge Smails]

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com...state-five-factors-and-prediction/1594855002/

1. Penn State is ornery, talented, coming off a bye
The timing couldn’t be worse for Michigan State to go into Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions have had two weeks to stew over their heartbreaking loss to Ohio State. They’ve had two weeks to get healthy, to prepare for an MSU program that crushed their playoff dreams a year ago in East Lansing. They’ve had two weeks to practice under the demand from coach James Franklin that they become an elite program, not just a great one.

Meanwhile, the Spartans are shorthanded — to what degree is somewhat unclear — and now fully aware of their shortcomings on the offensive line. It doesn’t help MSU that Penn State is getting back redshirt sophomore defensive end Shane Simmons, a former five-star recruit who’s been out injured since training camp. Offensively, the Nittany Lions have eclipsed the 50-point mark three times already this season, averaging 510 yards of total offense. MSU has been in the 30s three times, averaging 389 yards per outing. It’s a difficult matchup for MSU in the best of circumstances. These aren’t those.

Prediction
It’s hard to picture MSU pulling off this upset. The Spartans are too limited right now and Penn State is too good offensively. Frankly, it’s hard to see MSU even covering the 13 1/2 points Las Vegas is giving the Spartans as underdogs. MSU is a proud program, with decent player leadership and a roster that says its determined to take control of its season again. The good news for MSU is that a week from now, when Michigan visits, it’ll have another shot to change the narrative and vibe in a more favorable setting. Because this one could get rough in the second half.

Make it: Penn State 38, MSU 13

 

[BobPSU92]

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com...state-five-factors-and-prediction/1594855002/

1. Penn State is ornery, talented, coming off a bye
The timing couldn’t be worse for Michigan State to go into Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions have had two weeks to stew over their heartbreaking loss to Ohio State. They’ve had two weeks to get healthy, to prepare for an MSU program that crushed their playoff dreams a year ago in East Lansing. They’ve had two weeks to practice under the demand from coach James Franklin that they become an elite program, not just a great one.

Meanwhile, the Spartans are shorthanded — to what degree is somewhat unclear — and now fully aware of their shortcomings on the offensive line. It doesn’t help MSU that Penn State is getting back redshirt sophomore defensive end Shane Simmons, a former five-star recruit who’s been out injured since training camp. Offensively, the Nittany Lions have eclipsed the 50-point mark three times already this season, averaging 510 yards of total offense. MSU has been in the 30s three times, averaging 389 yards per outing. It’s a difficult matchup for MSU in the best of circumstances. These aren’t those.

Prediction
It’s hard to picture MSU pulling off this upset. The Spartans are too limited right now and Penn State is too good offensively. Frankly, it’s hard to see MSU even covering the 13 1/2 points Las Vegas is giving the Spartans as underdogs. MSU is a proud program, with decent player leadership and a roster that says its determined to take control of its season again. The good news for MSU is that a week from now, when Michigan visits, it’ll have another shot to change the narrative and vibe in a more favorable setting. Because this one could get rough in the second half.

Make it: Penn State 38, MSU 13

I like the prediction. I also like the picture of Gesicki. Gesicki is missed, but I do like how Freiermuth is developing.

 

[Judge Smails]

https://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2018/10/michigan_states_mark_staten_ha.html


Michigan State will play at No. 8 Penn State (4-1, 1-1) on Saturday and it will likely feature the team's six different starting combination on the offensive line. Fifth-year senior and starting left guard David Beedle is expected to miss about a month after being injured in the first quarter of a 29-19 loss to Northwestern last week. His left arm was in a sling while he was standing on the sideline during the second half.

Although Beedle is out, redshirt junior Cole Chewins' health is improving. He had his streak of 16 straight starts at left tackle snapped when he missed the season opener, played just one snap the following game and has been eased back into the mix. Chewins is now listed as the starting left tackle on the depth chart. That, combined with Beedle's absence, resulted in redshirt junior Tyler Higby, who started the last three games at left tackle, being listed as the starting left guard this week. He started the first two games of the season at center before redshirt sophomore Matt Allen took over.

Sophomore starting right guard Kevin Jarvis sat out each of the last two games with an apparent right leg injury and his status this week is unclear. Redshirt freshmen Blake Bueter and Matt Carrick have both been forced into the lineup at guard while redshirt sophomore Luke Campbell has played both guard and tackle.

While the offensive line has struggled with injuries and execution, starting running back LJ Scott also missed the last three games due to what coach Mark Dantonio said is an ankle injury. It's unclear if he will play at Penn State, which followed a one-point loss to Ohio State with a bye last week. The Nittany Lions allowed 490 yards of rushing combined in wins against Pitt and Illinois but limited the Buckeyes to 119 yards on 37 attempts.

"I think the biggest thing, not just the 11 that will be on the field defensively, but it's the 100,000-plus that are in those seats," Staten said. "If you allow them to be, it can be a very, very loud place. So, how we go about our work, how we finish (is critical). Once we get across that 25 (-yard line) and what we're able to do will dictate what we get."

 

[Judge Smails]

Not really we have one of the worst pass defenses in the country...they could easily throw for over 500 yards on us.

Game is going to be a blood bath. We need rain like last year to slow them down.

Posted by MSUMC25 on Oct 10, 2018 | 7:05 PM



Precip hoving around 50% likely during game time based on what I'm looking at.

 

[Howie'81]

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...chigan-state-pass-rush-penn-state/1594781002/

With a trip to Penn State looming on Saturday (3:30 p.m., BTN), the defensive line will again be tasked with creating hefty pressure to disrupt quarterback Trace McSorley.

To the Spartans’ credit last year, they were able to get to McSorley consistently enough to disrupt him. He was sacked three times in the 27-24 MSU victory — two of those coming on the Nittany Lions’ final drive, where they failed to put up any points. Of McSorley’s three interceptions that day, two were the direct result of rushed throws.

"He loves to get out of the pocket,” Panasiuk said of McSorley. “It’s a big emphasis this week. We’re just going to try and contain him inside and try getting him to overall.”

The Nittany Lions are also a team that relies heavily on the run, unlike many of Michigan State's opponents thus far this season. They rank No. 12 in the nation with 261.2 yards rushing per game. Saquon Barkley is gone, but Miles Sanders has taken his spot. Between the run-pass option and threat of McSorley scrambling out of the pocket, Panasiuk said the game plan has been flexible.

“I think going into every week, we obviously question if teams are going to want to run the ball against us or if they’re going to want to pass the ball,” Panasiuk said. “I just think, keying (McSorley) as an individual is going to help us.”

In the battle for the Land Grant Trophy, Willis said limiting the big play will be crucial for a struggling Spartan defense.

“We got to play good ball,” Willis said. “There’s no secret in what we need to do defensively. We got to limit explosive plays. They have big-play receivers with a big-play quarterback, dual-threat."

They're going down.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football vs. Penn State -- Scouting report, prediction

PennLive: Picking Penn State-Michigan State -- Will Lions be smart in dealing with Spartans' rugged run 'D'?

Lansing State Journal: Michigan State at Penn State -- 5 factors and a prediction

Last Word on College Football: History of the Land Grant Trophy -- Penn State vs. Michigan State

Black Shoe Diaries: BSD Film Room -- The Big Ten's Biker Gang

The Detroit News: Michigan State tackle duo keeping offenses bottled up together

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

PennLive: Parking sold out for Penn State-Michigan State; here are options for fans without a parking pass

Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football holds meetings, preps for Penn State

Scranton Times-Tribune: Penn State vs. Michigan State -- By the numbers

PennLive: Adam Breneman on Juwan Johnson's play, Lions' national playoff quest

Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football's Mark Dantonio has to change? Why should he?

MLive: Michigan State's Jordan Reid has been one constant on embattled offensive line

Daily Collegian: Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke still poses a threat for Penn State defense, despite struggling Spartan O-line

Daily Collegian: Although unranked, Michigan State still brings nation's top run defense to Happy Valley

Daily Collegian: The Land Grant Trophy -- "The trophy no one wants to win"

Onward State: Power Ranking The Big Ten's Weird And Awesome Rivalry Trophies

Onward State: Previewing The Enemy -- Michigan State Spartans

Onward State: Penn State vs. Michigan State Somehow Relegated To BTN

Onward State: Don't Count Out Juwan Johnson

Onward State: Lambs To Guard The Lion Friday Night

 

[Shadow99]

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...igan-state-football-mark-dantonio/1577202002/
Onward State: Power Ranking The Big Ten's Weird And Awesome Rivalry Trophies

The Onward State "Power Ranking (Big Ten) Rivalry Trophies" indicates that Minnesota is involved in FIVE of them, lol.

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

 

[Judge Smails]

BTN. They show 90% MSU highlights in that preview vs PSU highlights? Who is the team ranked in the Top 10?

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

I like this one:

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

another good one:

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

TMI on a sign.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Lion8286]

 

[Lion8286]

 

[BobPSU92]

View embedded media

 

[mn78psu83]

I'm heading up to the stadium. It's your responsibility to help Tom keep everything under control on the BWI McAndrew Board during the game. It will be a little easier without Bushwood and guns. Less entertaining though.

 

[BobPSU92]

I'm heading up to the stadium. It's your responsibility to help Tom keep everything under control on the BWI McAndrew Board during the game. It will be a little easier without Bushwood and guns. Less entertaining though.

I have to do everything?

 

[NewPSUfan]

I have to do everything?

Yeah! You are in charge of the "Scout" Board as well! So you have to mimic everything Bushie and guns might write!

 

[Judge Smails]

E

 

[BobPSU92]

E

View embedded media

Nice to see Mauti get the (success with) honor.

 

[SpartanJD]

Just announced Scott, Stewart, Nailor, and Jarvis are not dressed.

MSU will not have 3 starting OL, starting RB and 3 of our top 4 WRs. Just...too many guys on offense to lose and expect to put up points.

 

[BTMurphy]

View embedded media

First seat left open intentionally for Joe... awesome

 

[BobPSU92]

First seat left open intentionally for Joe... awesome

Seriously?

 

[SpartanJD]

Defense and special teams will need game changing plays for MSU to have a shot