Michigan State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 04: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for yards past Manny Bowen #43 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

There’s good news and bad news for this matchup in Happy Valley. The good news is that Saquon Barkley is gone. The bad news is that Trace McSorley is back and Barkley’s replacement, Miles Sanders, is a former five-star recruit, completely capable of replacing the All-American back.

Moreover, the Penn State offense returns eight starters, including four on the offensive line and two solid receivers — the most intriguing being Juwan Johnson.

Despite the loss of Barkley, McSorley will have no shortage of options in the passing game and Sanders should do just fine in the No. 1 running back role. Against this stingy run defense, though, expect Sanders to struggle a bit on the ground.

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The Spartans may fare well against this defense for the second straight season, especially since Penn State’s will be one of the least experienced in the Big Ten, returning a whopping two starters.

Penn State boasted the 14th-best run defense in the country last season and it could see a slight drop-off, and the same goes for the 47th-ranked pass defense. This could be another shootout, but the home-field advantage will be clutch for the Nittany Lions.

Final Score: Michigan State 31, Penn State 34 (5-1, 2-1)

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