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

By Stephen Robb

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 28: Members of the Michigan State Spartans walk off of the field after a loss to the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 in triple overtime.(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 28: Members of the Michigan State Spartans walk off of the field after a loss to the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 in triple overtime.(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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aSTATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 21: Curtis Cothran #52 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a tackle in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines on October 21, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
aSTATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 21: Curtis Cothran #52 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after a tackle in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines on October 21, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2. Penn State’s defense is smothering

This Penn State defensive line is one of the best in the country. While MSU has done a good job protecting Brian Lewerke, it will need to step up big in this game. I would not be surprised if PSU sends the blitz all game long to rattle the young signal-caller. Lewerke has shown that he can be shaken like in the Notre Dame game. That front four of the Irish were in his face all game and caused costly turnovers.

In the last three games, the Penn State defense has 13 sacks. The Nittany Lions will be pinning their ears back charging after Lewerke — they even beat Northwestern 31-7. Clayton Thorson threw two interceptions and averaged 3.9 yards per pass attempt and was sacked four times. PSU was not going to allow them to dink and dunk.

The Spartans are already finding it difficult to run between the tackles and this Saturday will continue that trend.

Penn State does a masterful job of creating turnovers and this young offense is prone to them. Michigan State has been great this season at shooting itself in the foot with turnovers. The inexperience and youth will do that. This is a defense that will expose the youth of Sparty.

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