Penn State beat Michigan State to reach Big Ten title game

And what a second half it was.

Thanks to Ohio State’s win over Michigan, No. 7 Penn State clinched a share of the East Division title and a spot in next week’s conference championship game against Wisconsin with a 45-12 victory over Michigan State in front of 97,418 at Beaver Stadium. Certainly not after a 2-2 start that included a 49-10 loss at MI. Penn State is averaging 39.7 points during its seven-game winning streak, as Saquon Barkley has emerged as the Big Ten leader in rushing yards, all-purpose yards and total touchdowns.

The Spartans (3-8, 1-7 Big Ten) will miss the postseason for the first time in Dantonio’s 10 seasons as coach.

“It’s kind of surreal”, quarterback Trace McSorley said. His adjustments seem magical at times, transforming a sluggish offense into a star-studded gala.

Michigan: Needs to beat Ohio State to advance to the title game. Four of their next five games come against Philadelphia Big 5 rivals, where the competition is always heated, with a marquee matchup vs. Notre Dame sandwiched in between.

In a game with monumental opportunity for Penn State, the MSU football team, sitting at 3-8 on the season, came into Happy Valley in a battle for the Land-Grant Trophy.

The Big Ten Bitterman had some reason to be angry, particularly about a pass interference flag that was thrown on his defensive back late in the fourth quarter and a pass interference flag that wasn’t thrown on an Ohio State defensive back in the second overtime. He made 10-of-16 field goals and drained five 3-pointers as the two teams combined for 21 3s in a game Penn State controlled after leading 30-23 at halftime.

MI and Ohio State are about to play the highest stakes rendition of The Game in a decade.

The Lions did it again this time. And Lee Corso put on the Buckeye headgear as he picked Ohio State for the win. Evan Schwan sacked Tyler O’Connor for a 10-yard loss on third down from the 18, forcing a punt from inside the Spartans’ 10.

Offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead should look for some knockout punches early in the game with shots deep down the field to see if the Lions can get some quick scores. “Certainly, I think our seniors really don’t want this to end”.

“As a freshman, I never thought that I’d be sitting here talking to you guys about what lies ahead”, Schwan said.

The shocking difference for Michigan State has been in its defense. Godwin got loose down the middle minutes later and McSorley hit him in stride for 59 yards to give Penn State a 31-12 lead.

By the same token, Dantonio said the 2017 season begins on Monday for returning players such as Robert Bowers, a redshirt sophomore defensive end who has played in only six games as a Spartans and is scheduled to make just his third career start. Michigan State leads the series with Penn State 15-14-1.

The Buckeyes beat the Badgers 30-23 in overtime in Madison on October 15 and dominated Oklahoma 45-24 in Norman on September 17. After a third-down conversion, McSorley took a play-action and slung a flawless pass to wide receiver Chris Godwin for a 36-yard touchdown pass, giving the Nittany Lions with 11:02 left in the third quarter. A Spartans win knocks the Nittany Lions out of the Big Ten East championship game.

If that happens, no matter who wins the game at the Horseshoe, Penn State’s glass won’t be half empty or half full.