Land Grant Trophy up for grabs as Penn State visits Michigan State

Maybe both teams are done with losing.

Or maybe it’s something bigger as Penn State finishes preparations for its Big Ten meeting with Michigan State on Saturday afternoon in East Lansing.

Perhaps emotions are running high with the Land Grant Trophy at stake.

Let’s play it safe and say it’s both.

Terry Smith’s Nittany Lions (3-6) and the Spartans (3-6) are meeting for the 29th time with such a big trophy at stake. It’s battle of the two pioneer Land Grant institutions in the United States.

Both programs are hurting after 3-0 starts. Six consecutive losses will do that.

PSU is a touchdown favorite. MSU is coming off a bye. Below are some thoughts from both coaches.

• Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith is not buying Penn State’s record. Smith is convinced the Lions’ performance against No. 2 Indiana last week was more indicative of the challenge awaiting the Spartans.

Penn State lost 27-24 to the Hoosiers after taking a 24-20 lead into the final minute.

“You look at them on tape, their talent jumps off the screen,” Jonathan Smith said of the Lions. “From all phases, offense, defense, (they) got some talent at the line of scrimmage. Front seven defensively, active. Good on pass defense.

“Offensively, they challenge you, schematically. They throw a lot at you. These guys, last six games, five of the six (are) one-score games. They are right there. … We know how good Indiana is.”

• Terry Smith vows that the Lions will take the fight to Michigan State. Smith, heading into is fourth game as interim head coach, sounded confident at mid-week.

The Lions outscored Indiana, 17-10, in the second half, and redshirt quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for 219 yards and a touchdown.

“This week, we’re going to come out full-blazing, and we’re emptying the clip,” Smith said. “You know, we’re going to Michigan State to win the game, not to let it fall to us.”

• The Spartans have multiple options at QB. Aidan Chiles was the starting quarterback for Michigan State for the first eight games. The dual threat has thrown 10 touchdown passes and run for six touchdowns.

They turned to Alessio Milivojevic to run the offense in their most recent game against Minnesota, a 23-20 overtime loss. Milivojevic threw for 311 yards and a touchdown.

Earlier in the week, Jonathan Smith would not rule out “packages” for each of the Spartans’ top two quarterbacks.

“Aidan’s skill set in a package, and Alessio’s in a package, that’s not outside our thinking,” he said. “We haven’t decided on that. I do like the idea of a guy getting a chance to go out there and find some rhythm and sometimes that takes multiple series in a row. It’s all on the table.”