The Nittany Lions are finally “off the Schneid.”

Penn State snapped its six-game losing streak last week and got its first Big Ten win of the season defeating Michigan State 28-10.

Penn State alum and former standout wide receiver Terry Smith, who has been in the role as interim head coach for the past few weeks since former head coach James Franklin’s dismissal, was understandably emotional after the team’s win last Saturday afternoon.

“Saturday was; I can’t even tell you how I felt. I’ve never been lifted off the field in my career. It was just a great moment,” said Smith. “I have two phones. Each phone had about 500 text messages on it. Plus direct messages was like another 500 or 600. So it was really busy. I’ve been reached out to by basically every person I’ve ever known in my entire life. People are super proud of me. I get; it’s very humbling for me. It’s just humbling sitting in this seat. I have the opportunity to be the head coach at Penn State. I don’t think anything has made me or my family happier than this opportunity. I’m thankful for all my friends, my family, my supporters.”

It seems like the physicality and toughness that Nittany Lions’ faithful are accustomed to from their football team has returned, and those attributes were on full display last week against the Spartans.

Kaytron Allen has been one of the bright spots for PSU this season and he stepped his game up even more against MSU, as did the offensive line. Allen rushed for a career-high 181 yards at over seven yards per carry, scoring two touchdowns to help Penn State come away with the victory. On the season, Allen has rushed for 917 yards and 12 touchdowns and he is closing in on the Nittany Lions career rushing yard record. Allen trails only Saquon Barkley (3,843 yards) and Evan Royster (3,932 yards) with two games to play.

The rushing attack will once again be important this week, as the Nittany Lions (4-6) host Nebraska this evening at Beaver Stadium (7 p.m. ET, NBC). Nebraska (7-3) has shown at times this season that it struggles to stop the run. The Cornhuskers allow 161.1 yards per game, which ranks 91st in the country.

On the flip side, Penn State will need to have a good game up front on the defensive side of the ball as well. Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson leads the Big Ten in rushing with 1,131 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Nittany Lions’ defense has been susceptible to the run, too, as they’re giving up almost 150 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 70th in the country.

Both teams will continue to depend on their No. 2 quarterbacks this week with Drew Allar and Dylan Raiola out for the season. Raiola broke his leg in a 21-17 loss to USC back on Nov. 1. PSU signal caller Ethan Grunkemyer didn’t need to throw it much last week because of the offense’s success in running the football, completing 8-of-13 passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns. On the season “Grunk” has now thrown for 689 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Nebraska backup quarterback TJ Lateef is a true freshman and was rated as a four-star player coming out of high school. Lateef had a good game against UCLA in his debut in a 28-21 victory, throwing for 205 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 31 yards on five carries.

Lateef is a dual-threat quarterback and can make things happen with his legs, so that is also something Penn State will need to pay attention to in this one. It’s no secret that the Nittany Lions’ defense has struggled against quarterbacks that can extend plays with their feet this season.

Another positive takeaway from the Michigan State performance last week was that the Penn State pass rush has been getting better. It looks like defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is starting to turn Penn State’s pass rushers loose and that the players are feeling more comfortable in his system. It has taken way too long to get to this point in my opinion, but I’ve been droning on about that fact for weeks, so let’s try and keep it positive.

The Nittany Lions were able to produce five sacks a week ago and they had even more pressures than that. Nebraska has really struggled in pass protection this season, allowing 2.7 sacks per game, which ranks 113th in the country.

Penn State must continue to trend upwards in this department, especially with Lateef behind center. Keeping the frosh bottled up and clogging up his running lanes will be a very important key in this ball game.

Las Vegas has Penn State as a 7.5-point favorite over the Cornhuskers.

Penn State’s head coach in Smith and Nebraska’s head coach in Matt Rhule are both Nittany Lions’ alumni. As noted earlier, Smith was a standout for PSU and graduated in 1991 and Rhule played football for the Nittany Lions and graduated in 1997. When Coach Franklin was let go a few weeks ago, the hot name to replace him at the time was Rhule, but he signed an extension shortly after those rumors started to fly. So, this game features a few of those extra wrinkles as well.

On paper, Penn State matches up with Nebraska well. The Nittany Lions like to run the ball with Allen and Nick Singleton and their pass rush has looked improved. Those are two areas where the Cornhuskers have really struggled — stopping the run and protecting the quarterback.

Keeping the ball out of the hands of the Nebraska offense as much as possible, I think, will be an important priority for the Nittany Lions. Johnson is a very good back and with Lateef’s ability to run, I think the Cornhuskers’ offense could find success on the night.

However, I like the energy that Penn State played with last week and it’s the last home game of the season. Allen should have a big day on the ground and the defense will make just enough plays to keep the Nittany Lions in bowl contention.

My pick is: Penn State 24, Nebraska 21.