The Michigan State University Spartans (5-6, 3-5 Big 10) and No. 11 Penn State University Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-2 Big 10) face off Saturday at Beaver Stadium for their regular season finales. The Nittany Lions are 19-point favorites, and the total is 53.
Michigan State is coming off a 39-31 loss at the hands of Indiana at Spartan Stadium last Saturday. Payton Thorne was 27 of 42 for 298 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Jalen Berger ran 21 times for 119 yards. Keon Coleman caught eight passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Penn State won for the third straight game last Saturday, beating Rutgers 55-10 at SHI Stadium. Sean Clifford threw for 199 yards and a touchdown. Kaytron Allen carried 11 times for 117 yards and a touchdown. Mitchell Tinsley caught five receptions for 63 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Spartans won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 30-27 victory in November. Payton Thorne threw two touchdowns for Michigan State. Sean Clifford tossed three touchdowns for Penn State, as Jahan Dotson found the end zone twice.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Spartans are averaging 25.2 points per game for the season, 85th in FBS, and they are facing a Nittany Lions defense that has surrendered 18.2 PPG (14th). Meanwhile, Penn State has scored 35.9 points a game this season, 19th in the country, and Michigan State is allowing 26.7 PPG (71st).
The Spartans rank as one of the Big 10’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (121.0, 12th), while they are fifth in passing yards (241.0). The Nittany Lions are ninth in the conference in passing yards allowed per game (211.3) and eighth against the run (112.4).
Penn State has been one of the conference’s top passing teams, averaging 250.4 passing yards per game (3rd), while ranking fourth in rushing yards (184.1). Michigan State’s defense has been beatable through the air, as the Spartans are 13th in the Big 10 in passing yards allowed per game (236.8). Against the run, the Spartans are fourth (180.3).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 11 games, Payton Thorne has thrown for 18 touchdowns (10 INT) and 222.7 yards per game to lead Michigan State in passing. In four away games this season, he has seven TDs (3 INT) and an average of 235.2 yards passing. Jalen Berger leads the team in rushing with an average of 60.8 yards a game over 11 games.
He has six touchdowns on the ground and three through the air. Keon Coleman is the Spartans’ leading receiver with 64.3 yards a game and seven TDs. Sean Clifford has 18 passing touchdowns (7 INT) with 212.8 yards per game through 11 games to lead Penn State.
In six home games this season, he has thrown for 13 TDs (5 INT) and an average of 229.2 yards. Nicholas Singleton has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 78.5 yards a game through 11 games. He has 10 touchdowns. Parker Washington has been the primary target in the Nittany Lions’ aerial attack. He has two touchdowns and a 61.1 yard per game average through 10 appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Utah -19 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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