Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will upset Penn State in Week 10

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 21: Defensive end Demetrius Cooper #98 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates an incomplete pass by the Indiana Hoosiers that ended the Hoosiers final drive during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 21: Defensive end Demetrius Cooper #98 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates an incomplete pass by the Indiana Hoosiers that ended the Hoosiers final drive during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 21: Defensive end Demetrius Cooper #98 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates an incomplete pass by the Indiana Hoosiers that ended the Hoosiers final drive during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 21: Defensive end Demetrius Cooper #98 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates an incomplete pass by the Indiana Hoosiers that ended the Hoosiers final drive during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

2. The Spartan defense has playmakers

Josiah Scott, Kenny Willekes, Chris Frey and Joe Bachie are just a few of the many names of players who have become playmakers on this defense.

Bachie played like a man with his hair on fire against Michigan. Scott forced a key fumble in the Iowa game. Frey and Willekes has recorded important sacks. When a play needs to be made in big games, the Spartans have found the player to do it. This Saturday’s game is huge and much is riding on it for Sparty.

This defense will need to turn in another great performance to stop Saquon Barkley and the Nittany Lions. They are more than capable of that.

It’s difficult to go into sleepy Evanston and come out with a win especially now that coach Pat Fitzgerlad has established a solid program. However, the Nittany Lions might still be feeling the sting or hangover from last week’s loss and this could be to the Spartans’ advantage.