Penn State @ Michigan State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 29, 2014 ) Michigan State 34, Penn State 10

Michigan State knows that it cannot afford any slip-ups at this stage of the season. The Spartans sit at fifth place in the College Football Playoff standings and likely will be a part of the four-team playoff bracket if they win their final two games, beginning with Saturday's home tilt versus Penn State.

Michigan State has rebounded from a heart-breaking loss to Nebraska to win its last two contests, including a huge 17-14 win at Ohio State last weekend. The Spartans prevailed on a game-ending 41-yard field goal despite playing the entire contest without star quarterback Connor Cook (shoulder). "We'll see how it shakes out," Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said regarding Cook's status for Saturday, which likely will be a game-time decision. "Sort of hard to say. ... I would assume things are moving forward." Penn State is trending in the wrong direction, as a 7-1 midseason stretch has been followed by two consecutive losses - at Northwestern and versus Michigan.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Michigan State -11

ABOUT PENN STATE (7-4, 4-3 Big Ten): Christian Hackenberg endured perhaps his worst game of the season against the Wolverines, throwing for 137 yards on 41.9 percent completions in a 28-16 defeat. "No one really can question Christian Hackenberg's mental or physical toughness," coach James Franklin told reporters, "and we have got to get our protection and our run game more consistent to help him out." Hackenberg will continue to rely on freshman running back Saquon Barkley, whose last five games have featured a 194-yard rushing day against Ohio State and a 120-yard, two-touchdown effort versus Northwestern.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (10-1, 6-1): With a win, the Spartans can clinch the Big Ten East Division and advance to a matchup in the league's title game against Iowa (currently ranked No. 4 in the CFP standings). If Cook is unable to play, the man under center once again will be junior Tyler O'Connor (7-of-12, 89 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT against Ohio State), while sophomore Damion Terry could see action, as well. Gerald Holmes has scored a rushing touchdown in four straight games and has seven TDs on the year, two behind freshman LJ Scott for the team lead.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Spartans have allowed a total of 21 points in their last two games after giving up at least 21 points in each of their previous five contests.

2. The Nittany Lions average four sacks per game - tops in the nation.

3. The all-time series is tied 14-14-1, although this is Penn State's first trip to Spartan Stadium since 2009.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 23, Penn State 21