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O T H E R M A T C H U P S THE LOWDOWNMichigan State is strong in punt coverage, but it surrendered a kickoff return for a touchdown in the second week of the season and has given up a few big ones since then. Thanks to Barkley's game-opening score vs. Ohio State, Penn State is now the only team in the country to score touchdowns on two kickoff returns while also notching at least one punt return for a TD. Michigan State, meanwhile, has yet to break one, and its punt-return unit is the Big Ten's least productive. The return game is what gives Penn State the edge here, in addition to Blake Gillikin's average of 44.2 yards per punt. The Spartans' field goal unit has been inconsistent. They are 7 for 11 on the season, while Penn State is 7 for 14. // EDGE Penn State SPECIAL TEAMS THE LOWDOWNMichigan State has been one of the more turnover-prone teams in the Big Ten this year. The Spar- tans' 10 fumbles are tied with Iowa for the most in the conference through eight games. Penn State has been very opportunistic, as its 20 takeaways lead the league. Included in that total are a league-high 11 fumble recoveries. Just something to keep in mind on Saturday. // EDGEPenn State THIS 'N' THAT THE LOWDOWN ABer a sudden and unexpected plunge to the bottom of the Big Ten standings last year, Mark Dan- tonio has the Spartans back in a more familiar spot. At 4-1 in conference play, they are in contention for their fourth Big Ten championship in Dantonio's 11 years as head coach. At Penn State, James Franklin is looking to lead the Lions back from their first regular-season loss in more than a year. // EDGE Even COACHING STAFF N O V E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 7 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M 5 emerging as a threat. Penn State's defense, meanwhile, averages more than one interception per game. Last week vs. Ohio State was the first time that an opponent put up more than 200 yards through the air. // KEY MATCHUP Grant Haley played lights out before the bye week but has struggled in the two games since. Fellow CB Christian Camp- bell was banged up against the Buckeyes, and PSU needs both starting corners to be at their best against a developing and confident Michigan State receiver corps. It will also need to get aBer Lewerke, a responsibility that will fall largely on a defensive end group that has gotten a lot thinner following injuries to Ryan Buchholz and Torrence Brown. Michigan State is surrendering only 1.25 sacks per game to rank among the top 20 teams in the FBS. // EDGE Even

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