ALTOONA, Pa. -- Penn State wanted long-term stability, so it gave James Franklin a new 10-year contract worth $85 million this week. Not all Nittany Fans fans are happy with that level of commitment because Franklin has struggled recently, going 11-9 since the start of last season.
Michigan State was sooooo overjoyed by what Mel Tucker was doing, it shelled out a whopping 10-year, $95-million contract to the second-year coach this week. He's now the second-highest paid coach in the country behind only Nick Saban. But Tucker has lost two of his last three games since beating Michigan, including getting demolished last week at Ohio State, 56-7.
Is either coach really worth the kind of money and 10-year commitment he has received from his university?
If you're reading this, you probably know Franklin's situation very well, since it's been covered here extensively.
But Tucker's situation is even more fascinating. Simply because of his incredible contract, and because if he loses to Penn State on Saturday, it could lead to a great deal of second guessing while the ink is still wet on that contract.
No matter, the deals are done. Signed and delivered. Both coaches are going to be very, very rich men, and both will be at their current schools for a long, long time.
The biggest winner in all of this is their agent, Jimmy Sexton, who represents both coaches. He was able to get the absolute most he could for his clients, regardless of whether fans and/or media have every right to question if they are really worth all that.
This game between Penn State and No. 12 Michigan State is known for its hideous prize, the Land Grant Trophy. But going forward, as long as Franklin and Tucker are there, it will be known as something else.
The Contract Bowl.
And, as I like to say, the Land Grant Trophy, presented by Jimmy Sexton.
THE ESSENTIALS
• What: Penn State (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) at No. 12 Michigan State (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
• Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Mich.
• Forecast: 32°, light snow
• TV: ABC
• Satellite: Sirius XM 83, online 83
• Box score: ESPN
• Media notes: Penn State | Michigan State
UPDATE: Friday 7 p.m.
This is a very important note about Saturday's game, since it appears the Spartans could be severely short-handed.
Michigan State has been hit by flu bug & rash of injuries & may be w/out up to 20 players, including possibly 6-8 starters against Penn State Saturday, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 26, 2021
What's at stake?
Penn State is 7-4 and, with a win, would give Franklin a nice nugget as a road victory over a highly ranked team, an area where he's struggled during his tenure. An 8-4 record would feel a whole lot better than 7-5 if indeed the Lions can make this the eighth victory. It also would move them one step up the bowl ladder, although they're so far down that ladder that it wouldn't really be of great significance.
Michigan State is 9-2 and still has hopes for the Rose Bowl. If the Spartans win and Ohio State beats Michigan, then the highest-ranked team between Michigan and Michigan State would go to the Rose Bowl. Even though the Spartans beat the Wolverines, Michigan has still been ranked higher in the CFP standings, so it would have the inside track on the Rose Bowl. The fact that Michigan State lost so badly to Ohio State only hurt its cause even more.
At 10-2, the Spartans could still go to a New Year's Six bowl, likely either the Fiesta or Peach. That would be a terrific accomplishment for Tucker's team.
As for Franklin and Penn State, they can play spoiler here, and a victory surely would quiet down some of the critics about his new contract. Then again, a loss in this game would leave Franklin at 11-10 over the past two seasons, plus another failure against a quality opponent.
Why Penn State will win
The one thing the Lions do very well will go up against the one thing Michigan State does worse than any team in the country.
Penn State can throw the ball effectively with a healthy Sean Clfiford. The Spartans have the worst pass defense in the nation, giving up 339.9 yards per game.
Why Michigan State will win
The Spartans do have a balanced offense that features perhaps the best running back in the country in Kenneth Walker III, who has 1,498 yards, 17 TDs and averages 6.4 yards per carry. Quarterback Payton Thorne is solid, with 2,618 yards passing, 22 TDs, eight interceptions and a 60.5 completion percentage.
That balance could give Penn State's defense trouble.
Penn State has the beat
I want to thank all the members of the statewide Penn State beat who have taken part in our weekly predictions all season. We're including all the picks in this story today.
Donnie Collins, Scranton Times-Tribune: Michigan State 27-24. I'm probably naive, but I don't buy too much into the whole motivation thing. I do believe in, Penn State makes a lot of mistakes it shouldn't against good teams on the road.
Cory Giger, DK Pittsburgh Sports: Penn State 29-26. I usually don't have much confidence in Franklin in these road situations. But Lions have better passing game, receivers and defense, and that's a good combination.
Mike Gross, Lancaster Online: Penn State 31-21. Sparty was doing it with mirrors until last week. Penn State seems due to put a full game together.
Elton Hayes, CNHI Pennsylvania: Penn State 24-20. Sean Clifford and the Penn State passing game overwhelm an abysmal MSU passing defense to give the Nittany Lions their eighth win.
Ben Jones, StateCollege.com: Jimmy Sexton wins 165 million to nothing.
Joe Juliano, Philadelphia Inquirer: Penn State 34-31. Kenneth Walker III will approach 200 yards rushing but the Lions' passing attack should have a field day with the leaky Spartans' secondary. Or to look at it another way -- the best opportunity yet for Mike Yurcich to show why James Franklin thought so highly of him.
Andrew Kalista, FOX 43: Michigan State 21-20. Who is more motivated? Does Michigan State roll over after being exposed as a fraud? Does Penn State want to say it is truly better than its record? Thirty degrees and snow at the end. I really do want to pick Penn State, 26-17. But I'll go Spartans instead. I see a critical call/play late that goes the home team's way.
Kevin McGuire, Nittany Lions Wire: Michigan State 24-23. Penn State has what it takes to succeed against the nation's worst pass defense, but I think MSU's ground game sustains enough drives for a rebound win at home.
Jarrod Prugar, DK Pittsburgh Sports: Penn State 28-17: Kenneth Walker does his thing but the Penn State offense airs it out in a big way. The Land Grant Trophy stays in University Park.
Jon Sauber, Centre Daily Times: Penn State 28-24. Michigan State's secondary is as bad as we all anticipate.
Rich Scarcella, Reading Eagle: Penn State 28-24. Angry by his Biletnikoff Award snub, Jahan Dotson might go off against a pass defense that has allowed 1,741 yards in last four games.
Mark Wogenrich, Sports Illustrated: Penn State 27-23. Sean Clifford gets his Senior Day.
