The lofty Penn State point spread, intent on growing through the week, probably doesn’t do this situation justice.
Because it really is about the toughest time to be a Michigan State Spartan.
They’ve been banged up badly since September. They lost more than a half-dozen players after a stadium brawl. Their defense is in tatters again. And every time they muster an inspiring step forward, they immediately fall down.
The back-breaker came last weekend: Somehow blowing a 17-point lead to the downtrodden Indiana Hoosiers. Losing in two overtimes, on Senior Day.
And they must now, of all things, take a frigid holiday-weekend trip to Beaver Stadium − to meet one of the nation’s best November defenses.
It may not matter, then, what kind of effort the Spartans actually attempt to put forth. Does the thought of winning to go to some kind of third-rate bowl game provide any tangible motivation?
Rather, they are outmanned, in physical and mental health, in the areas that matter most. Penn State’s defense and run games, in particular, should see that from a distance and pounce appropriately. Like big cats finding and running down wounded prey.
What a finish:Finding the promise in another lost November? It’s right here, Penn State fans …
Defensively, they are charging to the finish with a powerful elixir. Seniors who are healthy and care (Ji’Ayir Brown, PJ Mustipher) are leading first-time stars still discovering how good they can be (Abdul Carter, Chop Robinson, Kalen King).
The other part is this: No matter who lines up to block on this offensive line, they perform as if they expect to eventually exert their will without mercy − pounding the football, time and again, with their pair of ultra-skilled tailbacks.
The Spartans have been the most obliging foes. They’ve not been able to halt any kind of running attack, from bad to good and all forms in between. They just allowed Indiana, one of the worst in the nation, to gouge them for 257 rushing yards.
At some point early Saturday evening, whatever resistance they bring to town figures to break. And probably badly so.
Expect the Nittany Lions to live it up and exploit the situation to their favor. Style points would not only feel refreshingly rewarding but also may help earn a trip to a place like Miami, Dallas or, perhaps even, Pasadena, California.
Bigger, better things ahead driving them on.
Bodani’s pick: Penn State 48, Michigan State 15
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on Twitter @YDRPennState.
