The Land Grant Trophy isn’t the only thing on the line in East Lansing this weekend. For Penn State and Michigan State, Saturday’s game is about something far more urgent. Stopping the spiral. Two teams searching for answers, for confidence, and most of all, for a conference win.
Two Skids Collide in East Lansing
Both Penn State and Michigan State began 2025 with 3–0 starts, but that now feels distant. Each enters Saturday’s matchup winless in Big Ten play, mired in six-game losing streaks. Pride and relief are on the line at Spartan Stadium, where one team will finally snap its skid. Penn State is coming off its most complete effort of the season, a narrow 27-24 loss to No. 2 Indiana. The Nittany Lions are hoping that progress gives them the edge to claim their first conference win in East Lansing.
Michigan State Offense: Quarterback Questions
The Spartans’ offense has been inconsistent and now faces uncertainty at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic made his first start in the last game and impressed with 311 passing yards and a touchdown against Minnesota. Michigan State outgained the Gophers 467 to 301 on November 1 but still fell 23-20 in overtime, suggesting issues finishing drives. Head coach Jonathan Smith has not named a starter this week, with benched sophomore Aidan Chiles still in the mix.
Chiles flashed early in the season but saw his production dip once Big Ten play intensified, leading to the change under center. Whoever plays will lean on a steady ground game. Freshman tailback Elijah Tau-Tolliver rushed for 127 yards in the Minnesota game and will be key to establishing tempo. The passing game will rely on quick throws to playmakers like receiver Nick Marsh. The Spartans showed they can move the ball, but they must eliminate red zone mistakes and protect the football to convert yardage into points.
Michigan State Defense: Rossi’s Spark and Remaining Flaws
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi’s move from the press box to the sideline has injected new energy into Michigan State’s defense. In a 31-20 loss to Michigan on October 25, the Spartans held the Wolverines to just 86 passing yards, repeatedly disrupting touted freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood with blitzes. Rossi’s unit forced six punts and a takeaway in that game, a vast improvement after giving up at least 38 points in three straight losses earlier in the year. Players say Rossi’s sideline presence improved communication and intensity (statenews.com). However, this defense is still far from stout.
Michigan hammered the Spartans for 276 rushing yards, wearing them down late after two front-seven starters left with injuries. Michigan State has allowed an average of 35.5 points over its six-game slide. The Spartans have been better on third downs lately. Both Michigan and Minnesota went just 6-of-15 in conversion tries, but they continue to yield too many big plays and red zone scores. In short, Rossi has provided a spark, but the Spartans remain vulnerable, especially against the run.
Penn State Offensive Formula
Penn State’s offense has been rejuvenated by necessity. A season-ending ankle injury to starting quarterback Drew Allar thrust freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer into the job, and his growth is evident each week. Interim head coach Terry Smith praised Grunkemeyer’s resilience after a tough start against Indiana. “I thought Ethan was big time in the second half. He battled back and made some big throws. You know, he fought us back into the game,” Smith said. The Nittany Lions even notched six explosive plays against Indiana, more than in their previous three games combined. They attached downfield in ways the Hoosiers hadn’t seen on film. That aggressiveness, paired with a renewed ground attack, makes this unit more dangerous than its mid season lull.
Nicholas Singleton is coming off a three-touchdown performance (two rushing, one receiving) in the Indiana game, showcasing the game-breaking talent he hasn’t been able to conjure for his previous eight outings. To succeed on Saturday, Penn State needs Grunkemeyer to continue making smart decisions and spreading the ball around while Kaytron Allen, Singleton, and the offensive line establish the run early. Avoiding the kind of costly turnovers that doomed two drives versus Indiana will also be critical. If the Nittany Lions play clean football, they have the balance to wear down the Spartans’ defense.
Penn State Defense Finding Its Form
After a rough stretch to open Big Ten play, Penn State’s defense appears to be turning a corner. Smith noted that last week his unit “started to look like [the] old Penn State defense” in the way it flew around and hit. The Nittany Lions sacked Indiana’s quarterback three times and registered numerous pressures, finally generating the disruptive pass rush that had been missing. “Our guys are playing a little bit faster and a little bit loose. They got after it. They were having fun,” Smith said of the defensive resurgence. The secondary also rebounded with tighter coverage, contesting the Hoosiers’ receivers on most throws until a heartbreaking 50/50 touchdown catch in the final seconds. Penn State has simplified its scheme and dialed up more blitz packages in recent weeks, and the results showed in holding a high-powered Indiana offense to 27 points.
Still, the defense faltered in the final minute, something Smith pinpointed as the remaining “room for growth.” This week, the mission is to finish strong. The Lions’ front seven will aim to stifle the Spartans’ rushing attack and pressure whichever quarterback starts into hurried decisions. If Penn State’s defense can carry over its newfound aggression and play for all four quarters, it should control the game.
Lions Poised to End the Skid
Neither team has quit on the season, but Penn State enters this matchup with more momentum and confidence. “Guys are hungry. There is no quit in this team,” Smith said as the Lions prepared for the trip to East Lansing. Indeed, Penn State has shown clear improvement in the three games since Smith took over, nearly toppling a national title contender last week. In contrast, Michigan State is coming off a bye and still sorting out its quarterback situation. The Spartans’ defensive uptick under Rossi is noteworthy, but their ongoing issues against the run play right into Penn State’s strengths. Look for the Nittany Lions to feed Allen and Singleton early and often while mixing in downfield shots to keep the Spartans honest. On the other side, Penn State’s defense has the talent and newly aggressive mindset to capitalize on the Spartans’ miscues and protect any late lead this time.
It won’t be easy on the road, but Penn State has the edge in offensive balance and defensive playmakers. Expect the Nittany Lions to finally break into the Big Ten win column and take home the Land Grant Trophy on Saturday.
Main Image: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
