Penn State tries to reach 10 wins, earn Big Ten East title

Michigan State (3-8, 1-7 Big Ten) No. 8 Penn State (9-2, 7-1, No. 7 CFP), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Penn State by 12.

Series Record: Michigan State leads 15-14-1.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

In the biggest game at Beaver Stadium since 2008, Penn State can clinch the Big Ten East outright and earn a conference title shot with a win and a Michigan loss to Ohio State. Although they won't play in a bowl game for the first time in a decade, the Spartans can still play spoiler and take the Land Grant Trophy home to East Lansing.

KEY MATCHUP

Penn State's defensive front against Michigan State's running game. The Spartans have lost four of five but their rushing attack has been potent, averaging 219 yards per game in that span. The Nittany Lions have rotated a handful of linemen in front of stalwart linebackers Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell and are allowing just 91 yards per game with the two run-stuffers healthy.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Michigan State: RB LJ Scott is averaging 7.2 yards per carry over the last two games, has scored three TDs and got involved in the passing game with two catches for 76 yards including a 64-yard score.

Penn State: DT Parker Cothren is coming off a strong performance against Rutgers where he was a major disruption in helping Penn State make 11 tackles for loss.

FACTS & FIGURES

Penn State's on its best run in more than two decades and will try to win its eighth straight Big Ten game for the first time since 1994. . Penn State QB Trace McSorley needs 256 yards to break Matt McGloin's single-season yardage record (3,215). . The series is all but even but Michigan State has won three straight and hasn't lost since 2009. . Scott needs 65 rushing yards for 1,000 and would be the first Spartan to reach that mark since Edwin Baker (2010). ... TE Josiah Price is two catches away 100. He'd be the third TE in Michigan State history to reach that milestone.