Penn State working to extend Franklin’s contract

A season as disappointing as any in recent Michigan State history ended in fitting fashion. The Nittany Lions and Badgers last met on November 30, 2013, with Penn State claiming a 31-24 victory.

That was the first of three long passing touchdowns in a span of less than nine minutes that flipped the game from a slight Michigan State lead to an insurmountable deficit. Thankfully, the staff adjusted and went to the air more consistently in the second half. When the Lions (9-2, 7-1) take on Michigan State (3-8, 1-7) in their regular-season finale Saturday at Beaver Stadium, they will be striving for an eighth consecutive victory and a 10-win season.

After a wild Saturday afternoon, we’ve finally got our two participants in this year’s Big Ten Football Championship Game.

The highest-ranked Group of 5 conference champion is guaranteed a spot in a New Year’s Six Bowl, so No. 19 Boise State would go to the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic based on today’s ranking. By contrast, MI introduced 43 seniors at home last week. The Nittany Lions booked their trip to the conference title tilt with a 45-12 victory against Michigan State.

When it came time for the game between No. 2 and No. 3, all of the analysts picked Ohio State over MI except Desmond Howard.

“It’s nearly like pick your poison”, McSorley said.

McSorley had a sensational day, exactly what the Lions needed as Michigan State did everything it could to slow down Saquon Barkley and the PSU running game.

The formula is easy: Load up the box to stop Scott and make Michigan State quarterback Tyler O’Connor have to throw the ball. No one who likes the current four-team playoff setup wants the Nittany Lions to win the Big Ten.

Michigan State’s seniors played their final home game last week, now they’ll close out their Spartans careers at Penn State, hoping to play the role of spoiler and provide some momentum for those returning.

While Penn State’s 9-2 record this season was definitely unpredictable, the same can not be said for James Franklin’s weekly approach.

The Lions did it again this time.

So even if you’re a fan of a team that stinks, it just might smell a little less if Ohio State wins. Chris Godwin posted a pair of touchdowns, ones of 34 and 59 yards, while tight end Mike Gesicki jumped up around the goal line to snag a 45-yard touchdown. He went through protocol and was not cleared to play, ending his evening.

Ohio State: Needs to beat Michigan and for Penn State to lose to Michigan State. Then we’ve got some time to sort of sit back and start to look at what happened. Scott has rushed for 100 or more yards in each of his last two games. I kind of try and stay away from that, especially in this situation. “Coach (Joe) Moorhead always says move in the pocket with your eyes downfield, never get your eyes down looking at the rusher”. Worst drop: O’Connor fumbled a snap in the third quarter that Penn State safety Troy Apke recovered at the Lions 38. Penn State made 4 of 21 2-pointers and were just 4-for-14 on tip-ins or layups in the first half. Unsung heroes: Penn State’s defensive linemen, who helped hold Michigan State to no points and 87 total yards in the second half because they dominated the line of scrimmage. The Wildcats forced four turnovers and thrashed the Illini on the ground, winning the run game battle by a 278-57 margin. “We’re definitely playing at a higher caliber, and I think that’s a testament to our team not giving up at the beginning when things were shaky”.

Andre Robinson added a 14-yard touchdown run and caught a 40-yard pass from McSorley to complete the scoring in the fourth quarter, and Barkley scored on a 1-yard run in the second.

“Obviously how they were playing in the beginning of the season compared to how they’re playing now is different”, he said.