Penn State’s late-season trip to East Lansing comes with zero margin for error; both programs enter mid-November locked in a bowl-eligibility chase that puts every snap under a microscope.
The Matchup: November 15 at Spartan Stadium
Penn State will travel to East Lansing on November 15, 2025, to face Michigan State in a crucial Big Ten conference game. Both teams will be fighting for bowl eligibility, making this a pivotal contest for each program’s postseason hopes.
Michigan State’s Struggles
Michigan State enters the game with a disappointing 3-4 record and an even more troubling 0-4 mark in Big Ten conference play. The Spartans have struggled significantly this season despite being in the Big Ten, with losses to teams like Michigan, Northwestern, Indiana, and other conference opponents.
With Michigan State’s season in crisis, they will be desperate for a win at home. Spartan Stadium, despite the team’s struggles, remains a hostile environment for visiting teams, and Penn State will need to be prepared for a team fighting for its postseason life.
A Winnable Game for Penn State
Unlike the Indiana matchup, this represents a more winnable game for the Nittany Lions. With Michigan State sitting at 3-4 and equally desperate for a bowl eligibility win, Penn State should enter this game with confidence despite being on the road.
If Penn State has beaten Indiana on November 8, they’ll arrive in East Lansing at 4-4, needing just two more wins to secure bowl eligibility. This game becomes absolutely critical—lose this, and the path to six wins becomes incredibly narrow.
Ethan Grunkemeyer’s Progression
By mid-November, Ethan Grunkemeyer should have gained valuable experience through multiple starts. Whether he plays well against Indiana or struggles, the November 15 game will be crucial for his development as Penn State’s starting quarterback.
Against Michigan State’s defense, which has been struggling to stop offenses all season, Grunkemeyer should have opportunities to succeed. The pressure on the redshirt freshman will be somewhat lower than against top-ranked opponents, allowing him to potentially get into a rhythm and build confidence.
Running Game Opportunity
Penn State’s ground attack led by Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton should find success against a Michigan State defense that has allowed significant yardage through the season. Establishing early momentum with the run game could help take pressure off Grunkemeyer and control the pace of the contest.
Allen’s ability to break big runs will be particularly valuable in this matchup, as Michigan State’s run defense has been inconsistent at best.
Defensive Matchup
Penn State’s defense, which has been the team’s strength at 19.4 points allowed per game, should be able to contain Michigan State’s offense. With defensive leaders like Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton, the Nittany Lions’ defensive line could generate significant pressure on the Spartans’ passing attack.
The Bigger Picture
This game is essentially a must-win for Penn State. Losing would put the Nittany Lions in a position where they’d need to win both remaining games (Nebraska and Rutgers) to reach 6-6 for bowl eligibility. Winning this game guarantees bowl eligibility with one more victory in the final two games—a much more manageable path.
The Bottom Line
Against a struggling Michigan State team, Penn State has an excellent opportunity to claim a road victory and virtually secure bowl eligibility. This represents a winnable game for interim head coach Terry Smith’s team, and failure to capitalize on this opportunity would be a significant setback for the program’s postseason hopes and the coaching staff’s credibility heading forward.