Three more games left, folks.

Penn State football travels to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday. The Nittany Lions remain winless in the Big Ten and have not won a game since mid-September.

Last week, Penn State came up just short against the No. 2-ranked Indiana Hoosiers in what some called college football’s game of the year. Although Penn State hasn’t put it all together yet, the Nittany Lions are favored in their contest against the 3-6 Spartans.

Cadyn Gill (7-2): Penn State 27, Michigan State 17

After a respectable performance against the second-best team in the nation, I have no choice but to take the Nittany Lions against a 3-6 Michigan State team this weekend. Yes, I am aware Penn State is also 3-6, but this squad still has talent all over the field. Enough talent for me to put my faith in the team that has done nothing but disappoint me every single week thus far…

Fernando Martinez Ruiz De Esparza (6-3): Penn State 31, Michigan State 17

The light will finally shine on the Nittany Lions again, folks.

Despite six straight losses, Penn State has been playing well since Terry Smith took over the head coaching reins. Other than the blowout loss to Ohio State, it has only lost by a combined four points against Iowa and Indiana. This team could easily be 5-4 right now, but their inability to close out games is the reason why the Nittany Lions are 3-6 right now. Penn State is coming into this game with a lot of momentum on its side after it gave No. 2 Indiana an upset scare, and the Land-Grant Trophy is on the line. This team is still playing for something, so I expect them to come out with a lot of effort and grit against Michigan State.

As for Michigan State, it is on the same trajectory as Penn State right now. It has lost six straight games after starting 3-0, just like Penn State, and is winless in Big Ten play. However, the Spartans haven’t been as tested as the Nittany Lions have been in the last two weeks. They lost to a ranked Michigan team at home and Minnesota on the road. That’s nothing compared to the brutal stretch that Penn State has had to go through against the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country in back-to-back weeks. However, Michigan State has a huge advantage being the home team, as it has won all its games this season at home.

Both teams have a lot in common, but in the end, one will finally end their six-game losing streak and keep their bowl game hopes alive. I think Penn State is the one that does that, and the Land-Grant Trophy will stay in the state of Pennsylvania.

Michael Zeno (6-3): Penn State 31, Michigan State 21

This is the week, folks.

After a six-game losing streak that has led to heartbreak after heartbreak, this is the week we get a reprieve.

Sparty is in similar waters to the Nittany Lions, boasting a 0-6 record in conference play. Despite not doing anything to the degree of Conor Stallions at UM, they got every win from 2022-24 vacated earlier this week. Their last non-vacated conference win? Beating Penn State in 2021.

Ethan Grunkemeyer was impressive in leading Penn State’s comeback against Indiana last week, and although he had his share of misses, he looks more comfortable than ever. Expect him to put together a signature game for his first career win and keep Penn State’s bowl hopes alive.

CJ Gill (6-3): Penn State 29, Michigan State 14

Penn State finally gets a win in the Big Ten this Saturday. After another disappointing last-second loss to Indiana a week ago, the Nittany Lions are hungry to finally give the fans something to be happy about this time around. Michigan State is really bad and struggles on the defensive side of the ball, which should bode well for Ethan Grunkemeyer and the improved offense we saw on the field against the Hoosiers. It’s on the road, and if anything should be taken from the season, it’s that anything can happen when Penn State plays. Nevertheless, I expect Terry Smith to get his first win as head coach in East Lansing.

Jamie Lynch (3-6): Penn State 27, Michigan State 24

I have a feeling this game might feel similar to some of those late 2010s matchups against the Spartans. The contest will be a classic display of cold-weather, physical, Big Ten football.

I trust in Terry Smith and truly believe he has the team motivated and ready to go. I think Penn State will finally earn a much-deserved win, the first of Smith’s tenure. And, most importantly, the Nittany Lions will retain control of the greatest trophy in all of sports.

Brandon Collica (3-0): Penn State 34, Michigan State 24

Penn State, coming off another heartbreaking, last-second loss to Indiana, will get its first win in over two months.

Karlee Feger (2-1): Penn State 28, Michigan State 17

I think Penn State can pull off this win. Although they have been on a losing streak, the team is coming off a solid performance against No. 2 Indiana, which I think will propel them to a win against the Spartans. If Penn State throws confidently downfield and uses Singleton and Allen in a strong run game to grab extra yards, this game could break the losing streak for the Nittany Lions.

Ericka Apolskis (0-2): Penn State 35, Michigan State 27

The Land-Grant Trophy is ours.

Oscar Orellana (3-6): Penn State 38, Michigan State 13

This is the first game since Northwestern where I am genuinely predicting a Penn State win. This team put together a great performance against the No. 2 team in the country, and it looks like they’re going to end the season on a high note. A road win against a less-than-stellar Michigan State team should be the cure to the winless disease. I’m looking forward to it.

Cooper Cazares (3-6): Penn State 30, Michigan State 24

The Nitts are so back. After a six-game slide, the boys have found their rhythm and learned to toss one deep. Nick Singleton gets three rushing scores, Koby Howard has a career day, and Terry Smith becomes a winning coach.