Penn State defense vs. Michigan State offense: Tale of the Tape

The Michigan State running game is among the least successful in the nation. The Spartans are averaging just 100.82 rushing yards per game, which ranks 122nd in the nation. The only power conference programs with a lower rushing yardage per game average are Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Washington State, and Colorado. Nate Carter has been one of the Big Ten’s leading rushers all season and comes into this week with 759 rushing yards.

Penn State’s defense is allowing only 79.18 rushing yards per game this season, which leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth in the nation. The only schools with a better rushing defense this season are James Madison, UCLA, and Tulane. Michigan has been the only team to crack the Penn State run defense with 227 yards against the Nittany Lions two weeks ago, thanks to a heavy dose of the run after halftime. West Virginia has been the only other team to rush for over 100 yards against Penn State (146 yards) back in the season opener.