Penn State Game Day

MATCHUP: Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan State Spartans; 3:30 p.m., Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Mich. (75,005).

TV/RADIO/WEB: ABC (Terry Gannon, David Norrie); WILK Radio: 910, 980, 1300-AM (Steve Jones, Jack Ham); www.GoPSUsports.com.

LINE: Penn State by 3.

RECORDS: Penn State (8-3, 4-3 Big Ten); Michigan State (6-5, 2-5 Big Ten).

COACHES: Joe Paterno (371-124-3), 42nd season at Penn State; Mark Dantonio (6-5), 1st season at Michigan State, (24-22), 4th season overall.

SERIES HISTORY: 25th meeting; Penn State leads 12-11-1.

LAST GAME: Nov. 18, 2006; Penn State won 17-13 at Beaver Stadium.

KEY MATCHUP: Penn State’s stout run defense against the dangerous MSU tailback tandem of Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick.

PLAYER TO

TELLING STAT: In their 14 meetings since PSU joined the Big Ten, the Lions and Spartans have combined to average 62.2 points per game.

DID YOU KNOW: PSU has given up two kick returns for scores this season after not having allowed one since MSU’s Derrick Mason pulled it off in 1994.

PSU WILL WIN IF: The Lions can play a clean game without any more than one turnover on the afternoon.

MSU WILL WIN IF: The run game can give QB Brian Hoyer manageable third-and-shorts to convert, keeping the Lions defense on the field.

OUTLOOK: It’ll be a tough one for PSU, as all road games have been this season. Dantonio looks to have a broken program in a much better mental state for a season-ending tussle. The Lions defense, though, is back on track.

PREDICTION: Penn State 27, Michigan State 24.