George Perles called Joe Paterno when Penn State entered the Big Ten and sold him on the idea of playing a traditional season ending game for a so called Land Grant Trophy.  Paterno got his athletic director to go along with the idea and the Spartans have struggled to gain parity in the rivalry ever since.

     Penn State is 8-0 at home against the Spartans and 4-4 in East Lansing.  Since this year's game is at Spartan Stadium, it stands to reason MSU has a good chance to win despite being a 3 point underdog.  Penn State gave away the game two years ago, blowing a 24-7 lead in the third quarter thanks to a brilliant fourth quarter touchdown catch from Devin Thomas from Brian Hoyer.

     This looks like a toss up game Saturday in good weather.  I think MSU can win but only because Kirk Cousins can throw the ball down the field.  I don't see MSU running the ball except on some kind of gadget play involving Keyshaun Martin.  He has a terrific future providing ways can be found to get him the ball in space.

     I'm not sold on Penn State's offense going up and down the field the way Purdue did last Saturday.  Darryl Clark is far more conservative with the Nittany Lions' approach-- this figures to be a much lower scoring game than the 40-37 total last Saturday.  Beating Penn State is always noteworthy and a loss to finish 6-6 would leave the season quite a blah.  And that's the type of bowl game MSU would draw as well.  I think this team is the third best of three offensively that coach Mark Dantonio has fielded.  Next year should be better providing the defense improves but I think it will match up much better against Penn State than it did against the free wheeling Boilermakers.

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