Nov. 16, 2005
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College Football Preview: Week 12 |  |
(AP) -- For Penn State, it's simple: Beat Michigan State on Saturday, earn a BCS bowl berth.
The No. 5 Lions (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) travel to East Lansing looking to sew up the conference title when they take on the Spartans in the schools' regular season finale.
A victory Saturday would be the latest step in Penn State's remarkable resurgence this season. After posting losing records four of the previous five years, the Lions are on the verge of their first conference crown since 1994.
"I obviously feel better about this year than I did last year. Somebody said walking in that 12 months ago we were 0-6 in the Big Ten," coach Joe Paterno said after the Nittany Lions defeated Wisconsin 35-14 on Nov. 5. Penn State had a bye last week.
"I probably had more confidence that we were close than any of you guys did and in fact some of the people in the administration. I had a good feeling about the team, I really did."
Penn State finished 4-7 and 3-9 the last two years, but the turnaround has occurred in every facet of the Lions' game. They are one of three teams in the country that ranks in the top 25 in total offense and defense.
The Nittany Lions are allowing 297.1 yards per game defensively, second-best in the conference and 11th in the nation.
In the win over Wisconsin, Tamba Hali had four of Penn State's nine sacks, and the Lions held Brian Calhoun to 38 yards rushing. Calhoun came in averaging 135.3 yards per game.
Hali leads the Big Ten with 11 sacks.
Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson rushed for a career-high 125 yards against Wisconsin, while Tony Hunt rushed for a career-high 151 yards.
A Penn State loss Saturday would cost the Lions the conference title.
A defeat would open the door for Ohio State or Michigan, who meet Saturday and kick off three hours earlier than Penn State, to slip past the Lions and claim the crown.
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If Penn State falls, Ohio State can clinch the title with a victory at Michigan, which would give the Buckeyes a better conference record than the Lions. A Wolverines win would create a three way tie atop the Big Ten, and Michigan would hold the tiebreaker with wins over Ohio State and Penn State.
Michigan State (5-5, 2-5) is just hoping for a positive end to a disappointing season after a 4-0 start had it ranked as high as 11th in the Top 25.
The Spartans averaged 49 points in the first four games, but close losses to Michigan and then-No. 15 Ohio State began a stretch of five defeats in six games.
"I think maybe in times like this we press and try to do too much, because we're trying to find ways to get back to the way we were playing," quarterback Drew Stanton said after Michigan State was routed 41-18 by Minnesota last weekend.
Stanton has thrown for 2,844 yards, 21 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. The offense ranks fifth in the nation and first in the Big Ten, averaging 506.9 yards per game.
The Spartans' defense, though, has been a major problem. Michigan State has allowed 460.8 yards and 37.4 points per game in their five losses.
"We're not as mentally tough as we need to be. You've got to do something positive to gain confidence," coach John L. Smith said, "and we haven't been able to do that."
In addition to hurting Penn State's chances of winning the Big Ten, the Spartans can become bowl-eligible by beating the Nittany Lions.
"This season, one game would definitely help," Smith said. "It would salvage something."
The Spartans are 9-1 against top 10 teams since 1997, including a 44-41 overtime win over then-No. 10 Notre Dame on Sept. 17.
The Nittany Lions are 12-4 the week after byes since 1994. Michigan State leads the series 11-10-1, including 7-3 at East Lansing. but Penn State has won four of the last five meetings overall.
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