Penn State football preview: How to watch Saturday's game vs. Michigan State

York Daily Record

Kind of feels like a month has passed since Penn State last suited up.

Though it was only two weeks ago when the Nittany Lions lost a thriller vs. Ohio State, last weekend's wild upsets — Oklahoma, LSU and Auburn all lost and subsequently slipped out of the Top 10 — actually enabled PSU to climb to No. 8 in the latest Amway Coaches Poll.

Defense of the latest Top 10 ranking begins with a "stripe out" and homecoming visit from Michigan State at 3:30 Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

This is a chance for revenge for the Lions, who last year lost the Land Grand Trophy to the Spartans thanks to a last-second field goal, one of just two losses for James Franklin's crew in 2017.

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, top, is upended by Michigan State's David Dowell (6) and Chris Frey (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Penn State's 16-game home winning streak ended last time out, so it will look to start a new streak this weekend.

Now, for details on how to watch plus a whole bunch of other nuggets ahead of Saturday afternoon's showdown.

How do I watch?

Tune into BTN (Big Ten Network) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday to catch the opening kickoff. Kevin Kugler will handle play-by-play, with James Laurinaitis on analysis and Lisa Byington providing sideline updates.

Weather: Morning rain expected to clear by kickoff, with conditions cool and mostly cloudy, high near 52.

Parking: No special instructions.

Series: Michigan State leads 16-15-1, including a 27-24 victory in the last meeting, Nov. 4, 2017, at Spartan Stadium.

More:James Franklin vows change for Penn State: 'We've been knocking at the door long enough'

More:Penn State recruits get a taste of Beaver Stadium during game day

Betting line: Penn State is a 13.5-point favorite.

Rankings: Penn State is No. 8 in both the Associated Press and Amway Coaches polls, its highest ranking of the season. Michigan State dropped out of the Amway poll this week.

Up next for both: Penn State hits the road for the first time in a month with a visit to Indiana; the Spartans return home to host in-state rival Michigan.

Penn State

Head coach: James Franklin (5th year, 40-18 record)

Last three seasons

2018: 4-1 (1-1 Big Ten)
2017: 11-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
2016: 11-3 (8-1 Big Ten)

2018 results

Sept. 1 vs. Appalachian State: W, 45-38 (OT)
Sept. 8 at Pittsburgh: W, 51-6
Sept. 15 vs. Kent State: W, 63-10
Sept. 21 at Illinois: W, 63-24
Sept. 29 vs. Ohio State: L, 28-27

Recent PSU/MSU coverage

Top performers in 2018

Sr. QB Trace McSorley (73-for-138, 1049 yards, 10 TD, 2 INT; 66-410 rushing, 6 TD)
Jr. RB Miles Sanders (87-538 rushing, 6 TD; 7-56 receiving)
Fr. WR KJ Hamler (13-308 receiving, 4 TD; 2-32 rushing, TD)
Jr. LB Jan Johnson (29 tackles, 0.5 sacks, INT)

Michigan State

Head coach: Mark Dantonio (12th year, 103-47 record)

Last three seasons

2018 record: 3-2 (1-1 Big Ten)
2017 record: 10-3 (7-2 Big Ten)
2016 record: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)

2018 results

Aug. 31 vs. Utah State: W, 38-31
Sept. 8 at Arizona State: L, 16-13
Sept. 22 at Indiana: W, 35-21
Sept. 29 vs. Central Michigan: W, 31-20
Oct. 6 vs. Northwestern: L, 29-19

Local ties: Not many. No Pa. guys on the roster. But, hey, the director of personnel and player development & relations, Dino Folino, is a Pittsburgh native who previously coached at Pitt (1981-84) and Penn (1985-86) after earning his bachelor's degree from Villanova.

Top performers in 2018

So. RB Connor Heyward (42-147 rushing, 3 TD; 16-105 receiving)
Jr. QB Brian Lewerke (111-for-173, 1326 yards, 6 TD; 43-63 rushing, 2 TD)
Sr. WR Felton Davis III (23-374, 3 TD; 2-50 rushing, TD)
Jr. LB Joe Bachie (39 tackles, 1 sack, INT)