Connect with us

Michigan

Penn State-Michigan State Prediction: A Sneaky Big Game

Published

on

Penn State-Michigan State Prediction: A Sneaky Big Game


Penn State performs a sneaky essential recreation Saturday in opposition to an erratic Michigan State group that carry who-know-what form of mojo to Beaver Stadium. In response to James Franklin, the Lions have “good mojo” borne from a three-game win streak. However the Spartans might might include something.

So what to anticipate on Senior Day? Let’s attempt to unravel it.

No. 11 Penn State (9-2) vs. Michigan State (5-6)

  • When: 4 p.m. ET Saturday
  • The place: Beaver Stadium
  • TV: FS1
  • Streaming: fuboTV (Begin your free trial)
  • Betting Line: Penn State is an 18.5-point favourite in accordance with SI Sportsbook
  • Collection Historical past: Michigan State leads 18-17-1
  • Final Assembly: Michigan State 30-27 in 2021
  • Streaks: James Franklin is 3-5 in opposition to the Spartans

The Story Line

Aside from Senior Day, and quarterback Sean Clifford’s last residence recreation, the Lions have a considerable quantity using on Saturday’s final result. Penn State can document its fourth 10-win season beneath Franklin and second for Clifford as a starter. Ten wins symbolize a hit charge in faculty soccer that is troublesome to realize and harder to take care of. After two down years, it might mark a restoration of types for Franklin and his program.

The top coach has spent his time period at Penn State explaining how program, college and administrative alignment mix to generate success. Now, apparently, he has it with Athletic Director Patrick Kraft and Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi.

Advertisement

“That is in all probability the most important factor,” Franklin stated. “I really feel like I can focus extra of my time and vitality on our gamers and our program proper now than in all probability I ever have in 12 years [as a head coach.”

With that newfound freedom, Franklin has the opportunity to turn a 10-win season into a runway to the expanded playoff. Ten wins might convince tweener players considering the NFL Draft to return for another season. They also turn recruits’ heads and, more important, appeal to impact players in the Transfer Portal.

Penn State could use an impact receiver (or two) and perhaps an offensive tackle (or two). Beating Michigan State, closing the regular season with four straight wins and playing in a New Year’s 6 bowl would help with that.

Penn State coach James Franklin can record his fourth 10-win regular season with a victory over Michigan State on Saturday.

Advertisement

Penn State Players to Watch

Sean Clifford: Clifford’s last home start marks his 23rd at Beaver Stadium. He is the only Penn State quarterback to throw for 10,000 yards. And he knows fans are ready for him to go. So give him the ovation he deserves.

Nicholas Singleton: Penn State likely will run at Michigan State, which fields the nation’s 100th-ranked rushing defense. Last week was Kaytron Allen’s opportunity to shine. On Saturday, Singleton tops 1,000 yards as a freshman.

Abdul Carter: The freshman linebacker led Penn State in defensive snaps at Rutgers and has three tackles for loss the past two weeks. He’s going to be special.

Michigan State Players to Watch

Cal Haladay: The linebacker ranks second in the Big Ten in tackles (9.9 per game) and made 19 vs. Rutgers. Singleton and Allen will keep him busy.

Payton Thorne: The quarterback’s completion rate (63.4 percent) is a point higher than Clifford but he’s also thrown 10 interceptions. Thorne and Clifford are similar, but Clifford has a better run game.

Advertisement

Scroll to Continue

Bryce Baringer: He’s the country’s best punter in terms of yards (48.4 per attempt) but his per-game average has been dwindling since October, as Big Ten weather kicked in.

The Prediction

Penn State has no idea what state Michigan State is in, and the Spartans might now know either. On Wednesday, seven players were charged, one with felony assault, following the Oct. 29 tunnel incident at Michigan Stadium. Coach Mel Tucker said earlier this week that he doesn’t have enough healthy players to conduct contact drills. And the Spartans blew a 17-point, second-half lead at home last week against Indiana.

Perhaps Michigan State rallies above all that to play its game of the season. To counter, the Lions should employ a first-strike strategy. If the defense comes out hot and Clifford controls his emotions, Penn State should take charge quickly and stifle the Spartans.

Penn State 34, Michigan State 14

Advertisement

PENN STATE FANS: SI Tickets is your one-stop shop for tickets to a variety of Penn State sporting events, from football to basketball, hockey to volleyball. Need tickets to the Penn State game? Check out SI Tickets.

Read More

Penn State-Michigan State tickets are, well, affordable

Big Ten should be ‘pounding the table’ for more playoff access, James Franklin says

Penn State, static in the CFP rankings, faces a New Year’s 6 squeeze

Penn State brings ‘good mojo’ to its Senior Day game vs. Michigan State

Advertisement

Parker Washington, Penn State’s top receiver, out for the remainder of the season

Top Pennsylvania prospect making late-season visit to Penn State

First Look: Penn State vs. Michigan State

Penn State’s defense believes it’s ‘on the edge of greatness’

James Franklin shares an early Senior Day request

Advertisement

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button’s on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Michigan

Michigan ballet company’s props stolen weeks before “Nutcracker” performances

Published

on

Michigan ballet company’s props stolen weeks before “Nutcracker” performances


(CBS DETROIT) — A Michigan ballet company is asking for the public’s help to save Christmas after a trailer with its “Nutcracker” props was stolen over the weekend. 

Video captured when a truck drove off with the Plymouth-Canton Ballet Company’s prop trailer.

“It just makes me sick to watch the video, and … so quickly. It was five minutes. They hook up, and they are gone. And I’m going, ‘That’s my stuff,’” said June Smith, the company’s artistic director.

Smith said the trailer was stolen from their Canton rehearsal space around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday. It was filled with backdrops, sets, fog machines, and props vital to their 40th anniversary “Nutcracker” performance, less than three weeks away.

Advertisement

But of course, the show must go on, as 80 students from 20 local dance studios have been preparing for weeks. 

“Everyone was really upset about it. Because it’s truly the props that pull the whole Nutcracker together, it was really unfortunate that someone would do that cause they don’t know how much it really means to us. And how much affects the show,” said Francesca Kardos, who plays Clara in “The Nutcracker.”

The nonprofit company is now rushing to rebuild what it can and has launched a GoFundMe to raise money to repurchase props. 

They are also asking the public to watch for their 24-foot black trailer and the items inside.

“They have probably dumped this stuff someplace. So if somebody sees this enormous grandfather clock or an enormous fireplace… that looks like a prop of some kind, then call Canton police,” said Smith. 

Advertisement

But holiday magic will be center stage no matter what happens with the props. 

“We’re going to make it work because it’s truly the dancers who perform that really make the show,” said Kardos.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Michigan

Why Michigan’s game vs Northwestern is a must-win for bowl eligibility

Published

on

Why Michigan’s game vs Northwestern is a must-win for bowl eligibility


After a National Championship season in 2023 for the Michigan Wolverines they’re now in a situation in 2024 where we’re past midway through November and they have yet to clinch bowl eligibility.

Michigan’s missed a bowl game twice in the past ten years — in 2020 during a 2-4 COVID-19 shortened season when the Wolverines went 2-4, and in 2014 when they finished 5-7 in Brad Hoke’s last year as head coach

Michigan, now 5-5, has two regular season games remaining — home versus Northwestern and away against No. 2 Ohio State (9-1).

Per ESPN Analytics, Michigan has a 79.6% chance of beating Northwestern, but just a 7.1% chance of defeating Ohio State. These percentages really magnify how important beating Northwestern is for Michigan to earn a bowl berth.

Advertisement

A bowl game is the bare minimum for a prestigious program like Michigan and head coach Sherrone Moore sees the value an extra game has heading into 2025.

“It’s huge for the program. Playing another game, getting another chance to play with your team, but building on the future,” Moore said. “Building, getting more practice. It’s like another spring ball for the young guys. It’s more football for the guys that do keep getting better at football.”

There’s no guarantee Michigan even gets a win against Northwestern, they’ll have to earn it despite being the favorite. Michigan ranks No. 129 in total offense and No. 38 in total defense while Northwestern ranks No. 130 in total offense and No. 58 in total defense. Things become exponentially more unfavorable for Michigan against Ohio State, who have the No. 17 total offense and No. 2 total defense.

Northwestern is 4-6 and still could make a bowl if they beat Michigan and Illinois to close out the season. Northwestern head coach David Braun said the team is focused on bowl eligibility and expects a time of possession-influenced, grind-it-out type of game against Michigan.

“If you look at these two teams, as Northwestern and Michigan match up, it’s most likely going to be a limited possession football game. Every possession is so critical,” Braun said.

Advertisement

Michigan’s coming off back-to-back losses against Oregon and Indiana and desperately needs to regain their footing in the final two contests. If Michigan does pick up a win against Northwestern only then will they have the proper momentum and juice heading into The Game against the Buckeyes.



Source link

Continue Reading

Michigan

Michigan Central Station's newest business opening this week

Published

on

Michigan Central Station's newest business opening this week


An offshoot of a Corktown-based business will be the newest store to open in Michigan Central Station this week that offers both community programming and local crafts.

Advertisement

Neighbor X Folk will officially open its doors on Nov. 22, pitching itself as not just a store, but a “community space where every product tells a story.”

Associated with the James Beard-nominated café ‘Folk’ that doubles as a wine shop, Neighbor X Folk can be found just minutes away from the brand’s primary location on Trumbull.

In a social media post made last week, the business plans to offer “minority-owned and sustainably minded brands” that vary from home decor and tableware, to books, bodycare, and other good giftable items.

Advertisement

Beyond that, the location will also offer workshops and product samplings. They could be cooking sessions or meet-and-greets with popular chefs behind exciting recipes and food brands.

“From hands-on workshops, book signings and product samplings, our space fosters a welcoming environment where creativity thrives amidst a community of conscious consumers and neighbors,” their Facebook post reads.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending