Michigan State 55, Penn State 16

No. 8 Ohio State looks to continue its recent dominance of 10th-ranked MI when it travels to Ann Arbor on Saturday.

“I was trying to have fun with it. It’s our last time in Spartan Stadium”, the senior quarterback said. “I know, myself, we played better than the score reflects”. But those others can’t be achieved if the Spartans don’t’ win next week’s Big Ten Championship Game against Iowa. The victor of the game will undoubtedly seal a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff while the loser could be on the outside looking in. The Wolverines have won nine of its last 10 games, including the last four in a row, and can still claim the Big Ten East Division title if they beat the Buckeyes and the Spartans fall to the Nittany Lions.

He wasn’t sure until late in the week he would even play, but having time in the pocket was crucial as he was 19-for-26 for 248 yards and three touchdowns.

“Nope”, Cook said when asked if he ever felt a Penn State defender. “Obviously, I’ve been very fortunate to be able to play in a lot of games and not have to sit out. That was a reality check”.

Ohio State was reduced to a mere 132 yards and five first downs by the Michigan State defense and the inclement weather in a baffling display of ineffectiveness by an offense that has struggled all year to recapture the potency of last year’s national championship run.

The Spartans needed a win over Penn State Saturday to clinch the Big Ten East division and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. He handed off to Allen and the Nittany Lions couldn’t stop the 296-pound lineman as he rumbled to the end zone.

“(The play was in our playbook) for about five minutes”, Allen said.

Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg, center, is sacked by Michigan State’s Joel Heath (92) and Lawrence Thomas, right, during the second quarter of Saturday’s game in East Lansing, Mich.

In two seasons against Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan and Northwestern – all top-25 teams at the moment – Franklin and the Lions have gone 0-8 and have been outscored 263-116. Rudock made a 5-yard scoring pass to Jehu Chesson to cut Ohio State’s lead to 14-10 just before halftime. He’s an all-around back who can block and catch, meaning he would never have to come off the field.

Penn State senior tight end Kyle Carter fumbled after a 10-yard pass from Hackenberg.

So, we’ve now analyzed Iowa’s scenarios if they win against Michigan State and said all that can be said about it at this time. In big games, particularly when they’re close, you’re supposed to give your stars the ball.

“The season is not over, but we will have some conversations with a number of guys and come up with a plan that makes sense for them and makes sense for Penn State and we look forward to doing that here in the next couple of weeks”. The Tar Heels (11-1, No. 14 CFP) haven’t gotten much love from the committee without marquee victories on their resume and two FCS wins. The pass rush has been a huge asset for Penn State, but without both starting ends, the Lions failed to make plays in the backfield against the excellent Spartans offensive line.

“Nope. I didn’t get touched once”, Cook confirmed after the game.

Penn State moved the ball well in the first half but two turnovers earned Michigan State a comfortable lead. The Spartans used the opportunity and scored a touchdown on a 29-yard pass from Cook to R.J. Shelton on their first drive, but the extra point attempt from kicker Michael Geiger was no good.

Then there was the prospect of facing Ohio State, who averaged 6.3 plays a drive, including a 16-play drive in the third quarter that ended with Barrett’s second touchdown, a 13-yard run.