JN: Although I see this game has evolved into a meaningful one during the last few years, I’m not sure we’re quite ready to call it a rivalry. Let’s see some smashmouth, back-and-forth games and matchups through the series and we’ll re-evaluate. On paper, it seems Penn State is superior in every category — from its typically fierce linebackers to its experienced backfield. But, for whatever reason, I see the ball bouncing in the Spartans’ favor in this critical contest. Thanks for the great run, seniors. Hope to send you out on a high note.

MSU 17, Penn State 13

MB: After last year’s humbling defeat, MSU looks to roar back. The Nittany Lions have flown under the radar because of tough losses to Iowa and Ohio State. But make no mistake, this team is solid and well-coached. It’s going to be an emotional Senior Day at Spartan Stadium, not to mention MSU battling to win its seventh game. Penn State has a lot on the time, but its BCS hopes could be up in smoke before the game even begins. MSU has a lot more to play for, and it will show.

MSU 27, Penn State 20

CV: The Land Grant Trophy rivalry has intensified in the past few years and this will be another exciting chapter. The Spartans’ defense has been solid at home, allowing fewer than 16 points per game. Penn State is undefeated on the road this season and their offense is explosive. Spartan Stadium will rock, as it was against Iowa, and that will propel the Spartans off to a fast start. The game will rest on the arms of Kirk Cousins, perhaps the top quarterback in the Big Ten. The forecast doesn’t predict snow like last year, but this time the trophy case in the Skadalaris Center gets one more full case.

MSU 17, Penn State 14

GP: I think the home-field advantage is a big thing. Playing with a guarantee to go to a bowl game is exciting and knowing that if we win, we can even get a better bowl than we would with seven victories. We’re pretty healthy so we should be in good shape.

MSU 20, Penn State 10

Ohio State vs. Michigan

Noon, ABC

JN: Everybody says Ohio State’s downfall Saturday will be that it can’t score. Well, what happens to the Wolverines when they can’t do anything at all? They can’t score on the goal line, protect their immature quarterbacks, make key defensive stops or even follow simple NCAA guidelines. Please, pretty please, with roses on top, Mary Sue Coleman: Let Rich Rodriguez coach U-M ‘til the end of time.

Ohio State 63, U-M 6

MB: This is going to be a slaughter. When I hear talk of an Ohio State “letdown,” I laugh. There’s no way the Buckeyes don’t want to annihilate the Wolverines. I am really looking forward to seeing the perpetual “Return to glory” shirts at Michigan Stadium after Terrelle Pryor throws for about 1,672 yards and rushes for another 943. His 42 total touchdowns will set a world record. People in Columbus and East Lansing rejoice while the rest of the country laughs.

Ohio State 305, U-M 2

CV: Rich Rod can enjoy his final game in Ann Arbor. Sure, Ohio State has wrapped up the Big Ten, but you don’t need to tell them anything when it’s Michigan. The “throwback” jerseys the Buckeyes will sport will add a little more flair to an expectedly boring game. I expect U-M to keep it close until halftime, when, as expected, the Wolverines decide not to play in the second half and another senior class will graduate from U-M not knowing how it feels to beat the Buckeyes.

Ohio State 45, U-M 21

GP: Michigan has a bad situation going right now. A lot of distraction for their football team with coaches and practicing more hours than they should, all kinds of distractions that really cut into the concentration of a good football team.

Ohio State 35, U-M 14

California vs. Stanford

7:30 p.m., Versus

JN: I wouldn’t bet against Stanford if they were playing the TuneSquad — MJ, Daffy Duck and Taz be damned. Without Jahvid Best, Cal’s collision course continues against all-of-a-sudden Heisman candidate Toby Gerhart. Oh, how jealous I am of the Versus viewing audience. But please, keep that creepy tree out of the camera’s view.

Stanford 34, Cal 24

MB: After putting the hurt on Southern Cal last week and Oregon the week before, Stanford is rolling. Up to No. 14 in the nation, the Cardinal are showing the world they are for real after several years of struggles. The Bears have plummeted and again will be without running back Jahvid Best. The Cardinal have a Pac-10 title to play for and that will be enough motivation.

Stanford 38, Cal 24

CV: Who woulda thunk Stanford would be considered one of the top teams in the nation? Cal likely will be without Jahvid Best, which will hurt any chance they have at an upset. I’m sure Stanford and head coach Jim Harbaugh will love to run the score up on their hated rivals, as they did against USC. I expect Stanford to win by more than a couple two-point conversions.

Stanford 58, Cal 28

GP: Cal has been playing good football for the past three years, but Stanford has an excellent chance of winning. There’s another undertoe there too: Harbaugh probably is, in a lot of people’s opinion, the top candidate for the Michigan job if and when it ever opens. I can see them playing hard.

Stanford 28, Cal 7