Michigan State left no doubt.
The Spartans needed a win over Penn State Saturday to clinch the Big Ten East division and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. They did so emphatically.
Michigan State's defense forced four Penn State turnovers while the offense carved up an overmatched PSU defense in a blowout 55-16 win.
In the first half, it looked like the Spartans could be in for a tough one. MSU led 13-3, but Penn State was driving in the final minutes of the half. Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg hit tight end Kyle Carter for a first down to the MSU 23, but Carter was stripped. Spartans safety Demetrious Cox picked up the loose ball and sprinted 77 yards for a touchdown to give the Spartans a 20-3 lead.
Penn State was able to cut the lead to 20-10 at halftime, but the second half was completely dominated by Michigan State.
Connor Cook, who returned after missing the Ohio State game with a shoulder issue, threw two third quarter touchdowns to increase the lead to 34-10. The offensive line completely wore down the undermanned Penn State defense the rest of the way and the Spartans cruised to a blowout victory.
The game was probably closer than the final score indicates, but the game entered blowout territory when standout defensive lineman Malik McDowell returned a tipped screen pass 13 yards for a score. And to put the cherry on top of the win, Cook handed off starting center – yes, starting center – Jack Allen for a nine-yard touchdown that put the bow on top of a division-clinching win.
Now that Michigan State took care of business with Penn State, another big test is ahead in next Saturday’s Big Ten title game against Iowa in Indianapolis.
That game will likely decide more than the Big Ten champion.
Iowa, which beat Nebraska on Friday to clinch a perfect 12-0 regular season, was No. 4 in last week’s College Football Playoff rankings, while Michigan State was No. 5. The winner of the game will undoubtedly seal a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff while the loser could be on the outside looking in.
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