Just like Michigan State, Penn State will enter Saturday at 3-6 overall and 0-6 in Big Ten play. Not much of the fault there should be placed upon the defense. The numbers aren't phenomenal, but the Nittany Lions rank 35th nationally in total defense and 52nd in scoring defense,

Fans heading to the Michigan State University vs. Penn State football game Saturday, Nov. 15, in East Lansing should prepare for a rainy day, according the forecast. The Michigan State Spartans play the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Both teams are 3-6.

Penn State has to win out to make a bowl game this weekend at Michigan State. When all is said and done this season, the Nittany Lions will have played six games under former coach James Franklin and six or seven without him.

Penn State, meanwhile, has dropped six consecutive games for the first time since 2004. Saturday's matchup will be the 39th all-time meeting between the two programs. While the Spartans have won six of the last 11 contests,

The Land Grant Trophy, which has never been described as beautiful, goes to the winner of the Penn State-Michigan State football game. It’s a prized possession to interim head coach Terry Smith and the Nittany Lions, who have won the last two meetings.

The Michigan State Spartans are in desperate need of not only one but three wins to close out the season, and every player, veteran or rookie, will have to step

So when the Nittany Lions go on the road this week against a middle-of-the-pack Michigan State squad, they will be feeling pretty good about themselves. Here are the top five reasons Penn State should be optimistic about its upcoming game against Michigan State.