Penn State's match-up with Big Ten East opponent Michigan State later today (3:30 ET, ESPN) is to put it mildly, a very important football game. Not only does this contest have Big Ten championship implications, but it also has an effect on the national championship picture as well.

If you don't already know, if the Nittany Lions are able to defeat the Spartans and Ohio State defeats Michigan then Penn State will go to the Big Ten championship game against assumed Big Ten West champion Wisconsin. That scenario firmly plants Penn State in the College Football Playoff discussion and can setup the Nittany Lions program for many years to come.Championship hopes aside, I think this game's real impact comes in the form of possible future successes. I think everyone can agree that this year's Penn State team is not a team right now that would be favored to win a national championship. But if it can take care of business and things fall its way and it gets into the Big Ten title game, I believe it could setup some pretty special things for the Nittany Lions.In a division like Penn State's, a trip to the Big Ten championship shows elite high school talent that the Nittany Lions can run with the big dogs in Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State. A win today shows that James Franklin can now be considered to be a part of the conversation with the best coaches in the Big Ten like Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh.Success in college football is predicated on how well and how consistent you can recruit. Alabama and Ohio State are always in the national championship discussion and that's because they're constantly in the top five in recruiting every single year. Penn State already has a strong academic reputation and a game day atmosphere that is like no other in the country. If you add winning to that formula with a charismatic coach in Franklin and 2016 could be the start of something very special. But of course this is all dependent on whether the Nittany Lions finish strong and defeat an improved Michigan State.I know it's cliche, but I believe you can throw the records out in this one. Do not look at Michigan State's 3-8 record and think the Nittany Lions have this one in the bag. The Spartans had the Buckeyes on the ropes last week in a one-point loss when they missed a two-point conversion attempt that could've given them the lead. You can bet the Spartans will be primed and ready to play spoiler and end their season on a winning note.This game will be won up front today. The Spartans have been running the football very well of late and they will look to get talented running back L.J. Scott going early on. Scott has rushed for 935 yards and six scores on the season and the Spartans as a whole rush for about 178 yards per game. It will be the stiffest running game challenge the Penn State front seven has faced since its match-up with Iowa back on November 5.The good news is, the Penn State defense has really been tough against the run as of late. In its last four games, the Nittany Lions have allowed 1.8 yards per carry, 1.2 yards per carry, 2.7 yards per carry, and 1.2 yards per carry. The play of the front seven has been the anchor to Penn State's success and really turned around once starting linebackers Jason Cabinda and Brandon Bell returned from injury against Ohio State. Since then, the Penn State defense has been playing as well as any defense in the country, which is exactly how they will need to perform against the Spartans."You look at us, what we've been doing, stopping the run here recently, Purdue 1.8 yards per carry, Iowa 1.2 yards, Indiana 2.7, Rutgers 1.2," said Franklin. "When you can make people one-dimensional, that's going to be important this week. That's going to help you."If the Spartans aren't able to get going in the running game they will then have to turn to the air. That means quarterback Tyler O'Connor will need to make some big time plays and to be honest I don't think that's something head coach Mark Dantonio wants to depend on. O'Connor has thrown for 1,852 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Franklin's goal, I believe is to force O'Connor to make plays through the air. The "wild dogs" front had eleven tackles for loss a week ago against Rutgers and have been ferocious in getting after the quarterback since Penn State's match-up with Ohio State."We know what to expect. We're going to have a team coming in here that's going to play with a tremendous amount of pride, passion," said Franklin. "They're well-coached, talented. They've recruited well there. They've always been a good staff in developing talent. In the last couple years they've recruited at a very high level. They're talented."On the offensive side of the ball, the Nittany Lions must continue to be balanced. I sound like a broken record, but if Michigan State puts eight or nine guys in the box like every team has this season to stop Saquon Barkley (1,205 yards, 14 TDs) then quarterback Trace McSorley must continue to make plays downfield with his arm.In Penn State's current seven-game win streak he's been able to do just that. On the season, McSorley has thrown for 2,600 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. McSorley is also tops in the country in yards per completion as he's averaging 15.5 yards per reception. That statistic is a direct result of Barkley's ability to break the big one, which has been the catalyst to the Nittany Lions 426 total yards per game explosive offense.Las Vegas has the Nittany Lions as a 12-point favorite.Like I said before, the play in the trenches will be the decider in this one. If Penn State can continue its success against the run on the defensive side of the ball I like the Nittany Lions to win this one in a rout. The home atmosphere should be pretty good with everything that is on the line and just one or two mistakes from the Spartans or a huge play from the Penn State offense could really get the stadium rocking.I think the Nittany Lions will be able to thwart the Spartans rushing attack and get pressure on O'Connor. I think this team is focused and playing with confidence.My pick is Penn State 33, Michigan State 17.