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Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans can upset Penn State in Week 7

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - AUGUST 31: Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his first half interception with teammates while playing the Utah State Aggies at Spartan Stadium on August 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - AUGUST 31: Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his first half interception with teammates while playing the Utah State Aggies at Spartan Stadium on August 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football opened as two-touchdown underdogs for Saturday’s battle at Penn State, but the Spartans can pull off the upset.

A season ago, Michigan State was a major underdog against No. 7 Penn State in East Lansing and no one gave the green and white a chance to pull out a victory. An hours-long weather delay and four quarters later, Matt Coghlin was sliding across midfield in celebration mode after hitting the game-winning field goal as time expired.

Can Michigan State pull off the same caliber, or even more unthinkable, this season?

Michigan State is trending down after five games, but the Spartans are just waiting for that one week to turn things around and gain momentum.

Here’s why the Spartans could make that happen in Week 6 against Penn State.

5. Felton Davis III is a matchup nightmare

Let’s face it, Felton Davis III is a complete nightmare for opposing defensive backs.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound receiver had a big game against the Nittany Lions a season ago, catching 12 passes for 181 yards and a diving touchdown. This was the best game of the talented wide out’s career and he could build on that, proving to be just as big a nightmare this time around.

Penn State hasn’t allowed a breakout receiver all year, but the Nittany Lions did have a tough time slowing down the depth of Ohio State. Michigan State may not have the same depth, but the Spartans have arguably the best receiver in the conference — or one in the top-five discussion. He could cause major problems for the Penn State secondary.

While Davis III could be a matchup nightmare for the Nittany Lions, the emergence of Cam Chambers and potential return of Jailen Nailor could make the home team sweat it out on the defensive side of the ball.

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