Michigan State Football: 3 things Spartans are playing for vs. Penn State

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – NOVEMBER 20: Keon Coleman #0 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

1. New Year’s Six bowl

This is easily the most important immediate impact of a win for Michigan State. Beat Penn State and make a New Year’s Six bowl in Year 1.5 of Mel Tucker.

After going 2-5 in the first COVID-19-affected season under Tucker, the Spartans have shocked everyone to go 9-2 through 11 games in 2021. Having as many losses through 11 games as Michigan State had wins through seven games last year is a good sign. The direction this program is headed in is impressive.

With Tucker’s contract extension already inked, the Spartans don’t have to worry about keeping him on board this offseason with jobs like LSU, USC, and Florida opening up, and they can worry more about bowl placement and potentially locking up a New Year’s Six bowl.

If Michigan State loses to Penn State, it will still likely be playing on New Year’s Day but the only bowls people truly care about (on a national level) are the New Year’s Six games. So an Outback Bowl or Citrus Bowl wouldn’t cut it over let’s say a Peach Bowl berth.

There’s a lot on the line Saturday.

Next. 3 bold predictions for MSU vs. Penn State. dark

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