Point / Counterpoint - Michigan State vs. Penn State

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It’s rivalry weekend in college football, and Oddjack has their own head-to-head alma mater matchup getting some national attention this weekend. Guest Editor Mean Gene is a Penn State grad (probably majoring in Bovine Studies or some shit), and BG is an alum of Michigan State University (Finance, but he slept through his Online Bankroll Management seminar). We’ll give them each a chance to make their case. After the jump, BG is going to give you five reasons the Spartans are your play here, and where he’s going to put his money…

WHY YOU’VE GOT TO LIKE THE SPARTANS

· The Spartys Are Fired Up - “The Spartans (5-5, 2-5) have lost five of their last six games, and many have wondered if the players already have quit. MSU safety Erick Smith expressed frustration last week when he heard a teammate talking about looking forward to the end of the season, and Smith told the Detroit News that the Spartans needed to put people on the field who want to play.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

· Remember Your History - This game reeks eerily of 1997. MSU opened up a 5-0 record that year, and managed to shit their pants for a few weeks before welcoming 9-1 Penn State into Spartan Stadium. The result? A 49-14 MSU victory. This year MSU started 4-0, are in the process of crapping themselves, and are at home this weekend against a 9-1 Penn State team. Sound familiar? Maybe we can bring Sedrick Irvin out of mothballs for this one. [MSU Football]

· Penn State Is Soft - Joe Paterno, from his weekly press conference transcript: “I took it easy on them last week. We only practiced three days. We had a big discussion with the staff yesterday before we met. I was going to push them hard yesterday, put them in pads and say, “Let’s get Monday over with and make it tough.” Most of the guys on the staff felt, “No, let’s not do that.” Today we are going to have a good, tough practice, but not a long practice. I backed away because the staff felt I should back away from pushing them yesterday.” [Go PSU Sports]

· Statistics Don’t Lie - “The Spartans are 9-1 against Top 10 teams since 1997. This year’s Michigan State team beat Notre Dame and has played some of its best games against its best competition.” [MLive]

· It’s Senior Day - “A familiar late season mantra for Michigan State football players under coach John L. Smith has been “Win for the seniors.” - “That’s the most important thing - going out and winning this game for our seniors,” junior quarterback Drew Stanton said. “Being one of the older guys, I’ve got a connection with a lot of these seniors, and they deserve a lot better than what’s transpired this year.” [Green and White]

All that said, I’ve still got to go with Penn State to cover. No love for the home team? Hardly Geno, I’m going with my patented super-secret reverse fade technique. Money will be laid on Penn State outright, which will thereby jinx the Nittany Lions, leading to the inevitable Spartan victory. So my prediction? PENN STATE 42 - MICHIGAN STATE 38