Michigan State-Penn State Preview Capsule

Updated: November 26, 2014, 4:10 PM ET
Associated Press

Michigan State (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten, No. 10 CFP) at Penn State (6-5, 2-5), 3:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN2)

Line: Michigan State by 13.

Series Record: Penn State leads 14-13-1.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

The Spartans look to win at least 10 games for the fourth season in the last five. The winner earns another Big Ten trophy, the Land Grant Trophy. Penn State is celebrating senior day; 17 players will compete in their final regular-season game.

KEY MATCHUP

Michigan State offense vs. Penn State defense. The Spartans have set school records for most points (483), total offense (5,660 yards) and offensive touchdowns (61). Penn State is No. 1 nationally in rushing defense (81.7), No. 3 in total defense (267.2), No. 4 in scoring defense (16.2).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Michigan State: QB Connor Cook has completed 175 of 298 passes for 2,720 yards; he's been intercepted just five times and has thrown 21 scoring passes. RB Jeremy Langford has rushed for at least 100 yards in eight straight games and can set a school record with another against Penn State. He has 1,242 yards on 219 carries

Penn State: QB Christian Hackenberg has been sacked 39 times and hasn't thrown for more than 200 yards since Oct. 25 against Ohio State. He threw for 1,261 yards in during Penn State's four-game winning streak to open the season. RB Akeel Lynch has rushed for 137 and 130 yards in his last two games.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Michigan State has a nine-game winning streak in Big Ten road games and is 22-9 on the road in the Big Ten under coach Mark Dantonio. Dantonio's MSU teams have won 20 of 26 games played in November. ... MSU is one of just four teams to average more than 245 yards per game in rushing and passing. ... The Nittany Lions' 11 opponents are just 47 of 170 (28 percent) on third-down conversion attempts. ... . Langford has rushed for 100 yards in 15 consecutive games against Big Ten teams. ...Penn Stet LB Mike Hull has 121 tackles and averages 11 per game, good for ninth in the country and No. 1 in the Big Ten.


Copyright 2014 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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