It looks like Penn State is starting to get back to playing “Penn State” type football.

Now, you can take that statement any way you like. Successful “Penn State” football as of late under head coach James Franklin has been predicated upon solid play on the defensive side of the football and getting pressure on the quarterback coupled with explosive plays on the offensive side.

With the present challenges that are plaguing this season’s offense, I don’t see many explosive plays in the fold, so I’m not talking about how things have been done recently, although I am a fan of the Nittany Lions offensive style of play under Coach Franklin.

I’m talking about the way I grew up watching Penn State football, which showcased physical defensive play and a hard-nosed offensive approach that focused on establishing the run and using play action and quick, accurate throws to move the chains. Over the past two weeks, that’s the type of football the Nittany Lions have been playing, while taking care of the football, and the result has been back-to-back victories.

Now, don’t get me wrong there’s no doubt the Penn State offense needs to get back to being able to attack opposing defenses by throwing the football down field, but its approach over the past two weeks should have been the approach of both Coach Franklin and offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca from the very beginning of this unprecedented season. Without ample time to install Ciarrocca’s system due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State had enough pieces in place with a solid offensive line and capable running backs to play this style of offense.

Keeping things simple is sometimes better and I think if the Nittany Lions would have played this style of football from the onset of the season it would have helped with their turnover issues - the defense wouldn’t have had to play in so many sudden change scenarios with bad field position and you’re potentially looking at a 4-3 or 5-2 Penn State team instead of a 2-5 squad.

The Nittany Lions will try to end the regular season on a high note as they face off with Michigan State (ESPN, Noon EST) this afternoon. The match-up between Penn State and the Spartans (2-5) I have deemed the “Turnover Bowl” with both teams coming into this one with a minus-nine turnover differential.

As I have said in this column over the past two weeks, I think this one once again comes down to the play of the Nittany Lions’ offense. In its recent two-game winning streak, Penn State is averaging 251 rushing yards per game on 53.5 carries per game. True freshman Keyvone Lee has been the work horse, averaging 114.5 rushing yards per game during that span.

However, this week will be a much bigger challenge for the Penn State rushing attack as the Spartans boast a host of big run-plugging defensive tackles in the middle. The Nittany Lions’ offensive line has been good as of late and it will need to continue to be, specifically in between the tackles.

I would like to see Penn State attack the edges more in this one as I think that’s where the Michigan State defense is most vulnerable. But the bottom line is the Nittany Lions’ offense has to establish their run game, because we’ve seen what happens when they do not.

On the defensive side of the ball, it’s all about stopping Michigan State’s rushing attack. In the Spartans recent win over No. 13th ranked Northwestern they were able to run for 195 yards. Compare that to their rushing performances in blowout losses to Indiana, Iowa and Ohio State at 66.6 rushing yards per game and it’s easy to see Michigan State struggles when it doesn’t establish the run as well.

The Spartans haven’t been a good running team this season as they rank 121st in the country at 95.2 yards per game. The Penn State defense has played well of late and if they can shut down the Michigan State rushing attack and make them more one-dimensional, the Spartans have shown they are prone to turning the football over.

I expect to see more of the same style of play this week from the Nittany Lions. Physical defensive play paired with running the football and quick slants and hitches in the passing game. I do think Coach Ciarrocca and quarterback Sean Clifford will need to take some shots down the field in this one, however, because of Michigan State’s size in the middle of its defense. I don’t think you’re going to see the five to six yards on every rush like the past two weeks.

The key once again will be if Penn State can take care of the football. I think there will be turnovers in this one and the Spartans have proven to be a team that may very well shoot itself in the foot more than the Nittany Lions if that’s even possible this season. So, with that being said I’ll go with the home team on senior day.

My pick is Penn State 27, Michigan State 20.