**Michigan State Football Preview: Spartans vs. Penn State**
**Matchup:** Michigan State (3-6, 0-6 Big Ten) vs. Penn State (3-6, 0-6)
**When:** 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15
**Where:** Spartan Stadium, East Lansing
**TV/Radio:** CBS, WJR-AM (760)
**Line:** Nittany Lions by 7
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### Michigan State Football vs. Penn State Injury Report
**MSU Out:**
– DE Anelu Lafaele (left leg, season)
– LB Brady Pretzlaff (shoulder, season)
– OG Luka Vincic (left knee, season)
– DB Andrew Brinson IV (left arm, season)
– DB Caleb Gash (arm, season)
**Doubtful:**
– DT Ben Roberts (lower body)
– S Justin Denson Jr. (personal)
**Questionable:**
– RB Makhi Frazier (undisclosed)
– WR Chrishon McCray (undisclosed)
– DT Ru’Quan Buckley (undisclosed)
– T Stanton Ramil (lower body)
– OG Kristian Phillips (right leg)
– KR Alante Brown (lower body)
– DB Ade Willie (undisclosed)
– DB NiJhay Burt (undisclosed)
– TE Brennan Parachek (undisclosed)
– TE Jayden Savoury (undisclosed)
– LB Marcus Pulliam (undisclosed)
– DB Deuce Edwards (undisclosed)
– DT Mikeshun Beeler (undisclosed)
– DB Jeremiah Hughes (undisclosed)
– WR Braylon Collier (undisclosed)
– RB Jace Clarizio (calf)
– TE Jaxon Wilson (undisclosed)
– K Tarik Ahmetbasic (undisclosed)
– LS Kaden Schickel (left leg)
**Probable:**
– LB Jordan Hall (hip)
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### Penn State Injury Report
**Out:**
– QB Drew Allar (ankle, season)
**Questionable:**
– QB Jaxon Smolik (undisclosed)
– QB Bekkem Kritza (undisclosed)
– WR Josiah Brown (undisclosed)
– WR Kaden Saunders (undisclosed)
– WR Peter Gonzalez (undisclosed)
– OL Brady O’Hara (undisclosed)
– OG Liam Horan (undisclosed)
– DL Max Granville (undisclosed)
– DL Mason Robinson (undisclosed)
– DL Kaleb Artis (undisclosed)
– DL Jordan Mayer (undisclosed)
– DL Owen Wafle (undisclosed)
– DL Sam Siafa (undisclosed)
– DL Chaz Coleman (undisclosed)
– DB Donte Nastasi (undisclosed)
– LB Kari Jackson (undisclosed)
– LB Tony Rojas (undisclosed)
– LB Jackson Pryts (undisclosed)
– LB Bobby Mears (undisclosed)
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### Scouting Report
**When MSU Has the Ball:**
The Spartans’ switch to redshirt freshman quarterback Alessio Milivojevic saw a rough start with six first-half sacks in a 23-20 overtime loss at Minnesota on Nov. 1. However, the injury-limited offensive line improved after halftime, allowing MSU to gain a season-best 467 yards, including 337 in the second half. Milivojevic finished 20-for-28 passing for 311 yards and one touchdown.
With starter Makhi Frazier sidelined, Elijah Tau-Toliver contributed 127 yards on 11 carries, while Brandon Tullis notched 51 yards on 14 carries and scored a go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown.
Michigan State’s injury situation will be critical against Penn State’s aggressive defense, which ranks 36th in total defense (325.8 yards per game) and 15th against the pass (172.1 yards per game). However, Penn State has struggled against the run, allowing 153.7 rushing yards per game, ranking 82nd nationally.
The quarterback decision remains uncertain as MSU weighs starting Milivojevic or junior Aidan Chiles. Michigan State ranks 103rd in rushing (125.8 yards per game), is allowing 30 sacks, and averages 25.6 points per game (81st nationally) with 347.7 total yards (99th). The Spartans also convert only 37.5% of third downs (88th nationally).
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**When PSU Has the Ball:**
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi’s unit has improved over the past two games, despite costly penalties that recently hurt them late in games. MSU ranks 69th in total defense, allowing 371.3 yards per game, and 66th against the run (144.3 yards). However, they have struggled significantly, allowing 31.4 points per game (114th nationally) and struggling to generate turnovers and sacks. Opponents convert 44.3% of third downs against MSU, one of the highest rates nationally (119th).
Penn State, like Michigan State, is battling injuries, especially on offense. PSU ranks 108th in total offense (335.7 yards per game) and 107th in passing (184.7 yards per game), while rushing for 151 yards a game (78th). The Nittany Lions score 30.7 points per game overall (52nd) but are being outscored 184-144 and outgained 376.7-284.8 in Big Ten play, still searching for their first conference win.
Veteran senior running back Kaytron Allen stands out for PSU, ranking fourth in the Big Ten and 36th nationally with 81.8 rushing yards per game (736 yards on 138 carries). Allen also ranks 17th nationally with 10 rushing touchdowns.
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### Know the Foe
**Unhappy Valley:**
Not even a year ago, James Franklin led Penn State to its first College Football Playoff appearance. However, Franklin was fired on Oct. 12 after starting Big Ten play with three straight losses. Under interim coach Terry Smith, PSU has extended its losing streak to six games.
Franklin’s tenure included a 5-5 record against Michigan State over 12 seasons, finishing his career at PSU with a 104-45 record, a Big Ten title in 2016, and a Rose Bowl win after the 2022 season.
Both Michigan State and Penn State have lost six straight games leading into Saturday’s matchup.
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### QB Situation for Penn State
Since Drew Allar suffered a broken left ankle on Oct. 11, PSU has coped with injuries at quarterback. Ethan Grunkemeyer stepped in as the starter but faced challenges, including the absence of backup Jaxon Smolik and a questionable Bekkem Kritza.
In his three starts, Grunkemeyer has completed 64.4% of his passes for 457 yards, throwing one touchdown and four interceptions. PSU has even been practicing wide receiver Liam Clifford as an emergency quarterback.
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### Two Cents
**Land Grant Revival:**
Penn State has dominated the Land Grant Trophy series recently, winning four of the last five meetings against Michigan State. This includes a 42-0 rout at Ford Field in Detroit to close the 2022 season, which marked the start of Jonathan Smith’s tenure as MSU head coach.
The Land Grant Trophy itself is an impressive 76.2-pound blend of wood and metal, created by former Michigan State coach George Perles and Penn State legend Joe Paterno. Since Penn State joined the Big Ten, they have won 18 of the 28 meetings.
However, Michigan State won the most recent meeting at Spartan Stadium in 2021.
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**Final Time at Spartan Stadium This Season**
Saturday also marks the final home game of the season for MSU’s seniors, including longtime standouts linebackers Darius Snow and Sam Edwards, and safety Malik Spencer, who have spent their entire college careers at Michigan State.
With two games left after this one, including the regular-season finale at Ford Field against Maryland, the Spartans need to win all three remaining contests to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2021.
The team is currently enduring its longest losing streak since dropping seven straight in 2016 under Mark Dantonio.
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### Prediction: Penn State 24, Michigan State 14
This game will likely hinge on Michigan State’s ability to sustain drives—something the Spartans have struggled with consistently this season. Pennsylvania State boasts the nation’s sixth-best ball possession offense and will rely heavily on Kaytron Allen to keep MSU’s offense off the field.
Expect Michigan State to suffer a seventh straight loss with two games remaining, all but securing another bowl-less season. This would mark the fourth straight year and the fifth time in six seasons since Dantonio’s retirement without a bowl appearance come December.
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**Contact Chris Solari:** [email protected]
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