Penn State prediction vs. Michigan State: Lions put tough-love growth to the test

It seems like the Nittany Lions have waited forever to make up for coughing double-digit leads to Top Five Ohio State.

That's what excruciating defeats can make things feel like.

But can the Nittany Lions actually use it now for the better?

They hope the bye week was beneficial in re-focusing, re-charging and now moving forward.

Penn State still owns a shot to qualify for the College Football Playoffs, as long as it takes care of its business over the final seven weeks of the season.

And that begins Saturday with a suddenly dysfunctional Michigan State on homecoming.

The Spartans used a three-hour-plus weather delay and a career outing by quarterback Brian Lewerke to pull the upset last year in East Lansing — a week after another Penn State heartbreak to Ohio State.

Lewerke is back, and maybe just as good, but his supporting cast has struggled with injuries and performance. Each group around him has sprung some sort of leak.

This time, he simply may not have enough help to keep it close for four quarters.

Especially with Penn State's defense coming off a much-improved effort against the Buckeyes. The Lions now look forward to the return of injured defensive end Shane Simmons and increased playing time from converted offensive lineman C.J. Thorpe.

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"I know we did not finish the (Ohio State) game the way anybody wants us to finish the game. I get that," James Franklin said. "But, OK, we understand that. We study that. We learn from that. We grow from that.

"Did we get better from week one to two? Yes. Did we get better from week two to week three? We've gotten better every single week. If we continue to do that individually and collectively, I think we'll like where we're going to be."

That "better" part must show up on defense as more controlled pressure of Lewerke. On offense, their Penn State's touted receivers must finally start holding onto Trace McSorley's passesion.

Those things would mark a significant step in what Franklin refers to as program growth.

And they'd almost certainly help the Lions sprint past wobbly Michigan State with so much left to play for.

Bodani's pick: Penn State 37, Michigan State 17