Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Michigan State Spartans Picks & Preview | NCAAFB Week 13

Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan is the setting for the No. 11 Penn State Nittany Lions’ (9-2) matchup against the Michigan State Spartans (4-7) on November 24, 2023, starting at 7:30 PM ET, airing on NBC.

The Nittany Lions are expected to come out on top by at least two TDs (currently -22.5) against the Spartans. The over/under for this matchup is 42.5 points.

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Game Info for Penn State vs. Michigan State

• Game Day: Friday, November 24, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
• TV Channel: NBC
• Location: Detroit, Michigan
• Stadium: Ford Field

Penn State Pick Insights

• Penn State is 7-3-0 ATS this season.
• Penn State has a 2-1 record against the spread in games it was favored by 22.5 points or more this season.
• Five of Penn State’s 10 games with a set total have hit the over (50%).

Penn State Stats & Insights

• Penn State owns the 75th-ranked offense this season (373.3 yards per game), and has been even more effective on defense, ranking second-best with only 238.7 yards allowed per game.
• Penn State has been firing on all cylinders this year, as they rank 15th-best in scoring offense (36.7 points per game) and fourth-best in scoring defense (12.5 points allowed per game).
• Penn State owns the 102nd-ranked offense this season in terms of passing yards (195.4 passing yards per game), and has been more effective on defense, ranking sixth-best with just 161 passing yards allowed per game.
• Penn State ranks 41st in rushing yards this year (177.9 rushing yards per game), but has been shining on the other side of the ball, ranking third-best in the FBS with 77.7 rushing yards allowed per game.
• On defense, Penn State has been a top-25 unit in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking 16th-best by allowing a 30.9% third-down percentage. The team’s offense ranks 54th (40.9% third-down percentage).
• Penn State has the best turnover margin in college football at +17, forcing 23 turnovers (third in the FBS) while turning it over six times (second in the FBS).

Penn State’s Best Players

• Drew Allar has thrown for 2,044 yards (185.8 ypg) to lead Penn State, completing 61% of his passes and recording 21 touchdown passes compared to one interception this season. He’s also figured in the ground game with 177 rushing yards on 66 carries with four rushing touchdowns.
• The team’s top rusher, Kaytron Allen, has carried the ball 147 times for 714 yards (64.9 per game), scoring six times.
• Nicholas Singleton has carried the ball 145 times for 584 yards (53.1 per game) and seven touchdowns.
• KeAndre Lambert-Smith has hauled in 52 receptions for 651 yards (59.2 yards per game) to lead the team so far this season. He’s found the end zone four times as a receiver.
• Tyler Warren has hauled in 27 receptions totaling 273 yards, finding the end zone six times as a receiver so far this campaign.
• Theo Johnson has hauled in 26 grabs for 253 yards, an average of 23 yards per game. He’s scored five times as a receiver this season.
• Adisa Isaac has collected 6.5 sacks to lead the team, while also picking up 12 TFL and 29 tackles.
• Kobe King is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s amassed 45 tackles, four TFL, and 1.5 sacks.
• Dominic DeLuca has picked off a team-high two passes. He also has 15 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and two passes defended to his name.

Michigan State Betting Insights

• Michigan State is 6-5-0 against the spread this year.
• Michigan State has not yet covered the spread as underdogs of 22.5 points or more this year (0-2).
• Michigan State has hit the over in five of their 11 games with a set total (45.5%).

Michigan State Pick Insights

• Michigan State has been struggling on offense, ranking 11th-worst with 307 total yards per game. It has been more effective on the other side of the ball, allowing 372.4 total yards per contest (61st-ranked).
• Michigan State ranks sixth-worst in points per game (17.4), but it has been more effective on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 77th in the FBS with 27.1 points allowed per contest.
• Michigan State is putting up 207.1 passing yards per contest on offense this season (90th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is surrendering 231.5 passing yards per game (74th-ranked) on defense.
• Michigan State ranks 11th-worst in rushing yards per game (99.9), but it has been better defensively, ranking 49th in the FBS with 140.9 rushing yards conceded per contest.
• Michigan State’s offense has been sputtering on third down, ranking 15th-worst in the FBS with a 31.8% third-down conversion percentage. It has been better on defense, giving up a 34.5% third-down rate (33rd-ranked).
• Michigan State has compiled 16 forced turnovers (55th in the FBS) and committed 21 turnovers (123rd in the FBS) this season for a -5 turnover margin that ranks 107th in the FBS.

Michigan State’s Best Players

• Noah Kim has thrown for 1,090 yards (99.1 yards per game) while completing 56.5% of his passes and collecting six touchdown passes with six interceptions this season.
• Nathan Carter is his team’s leading rusher with 178 carries for 753 yards, or 68.5 per game. He’s found paydirt four times on the ground, as well.
• Jalen Berger has taken 25 carries and totaled 93 yards with one touchdown.
• Montorie Foster paces his team with 540 receiving yards on 41 receptions with three touchdowns.
• Maliq Carr has 28 receptions (on 44 targets) for a total of 301 yards (27.4 yards per game) and three touchdowns this year.
• Tre Mosley’s 28 grabs (on 46 targets) have netted him 288 yards (26.2 ypg) and two touchdowns.
• Aaron Brule has four sacks to pace the team, and also has seven TFL and 59 tackles.
• Cal Haladay, Michigan State’s leading tackler, has 79 tackles, five TFL, one sack, and one interception this year.
• Jaden Mangham has picked off a team-high four passes. He also has 43 tackles, one TFL, and four passes defended to his name.