The Spartans, who have no chance of making the postseason, will take the field for the last time in 2016. The game not only has implications in the Big Ten East race, but also will affect how they come out to practice in both the spring and summer.

The Spartans have dealt with distractions all year, but MSU head coach Mark Dantonio stressed that his team has not given up despite the poor record.

INJURY REPORT

Penn State

OUT: LB Nyeem Wartman-White (knee), LB Jan Johnson (leg), OT Andrew Nelson (knee), OT Chance Sorrell (knee), TE Nick Bowers, LB Von Walker, OT Paris Palmer, OG Brendan Mahon (all undisclosed)

QUESTIONABLE: OL Connor McGovern (undisclosed)

MSU

OUT: LB Jon Reschke (ankle), CB Vayante Copeland (foot), QB Brian Lewerke (leg), OG Tyler Higby (ankle)

DOUBTFUL: DL Malik McDowell (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE: CB Tyson Smith (undisclosed)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

1. Stopping Saquon Barkley

Penn State’s offense has revolved around the sophomore Saquon Barkley, who has garnered 1,204 rushing yards and 316 receiving yards for a total of 16 touchdowns. Barkley leads the Big Ten in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns with 14 this season, helping Penn State reach a No. 8 ranking in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.

“I think he (Barkley) is just a different animal,” junior linebacker Chris Frey said. “He’s a guy that’s going to come out. You know, we’ve played against bigger backs, played against guys who are going to try and run you over, and I think he can do both. He’s a really shifty guy, and he’s really fast. I think he can come out and he’s a very versatile guy and we just have to be ready for him.”

Barkley will certainly be a force MSU’s defense, led by Frey with 90 tackles. MSU’s defense has 166.1 yards rushing total this season, which is good news for Barkley in efforts to propel Penn State to a Big Ten title.

2. Springboard for next season

Similarities have been brought up from this season compared to that of the Spartans' 2012 campaign, where they finished 7-6 sandwiched between two seasons with more than 10 wins. However, that team had an opportunity for the postseason while this team’s chances are lost following their 17-16 loss to Ohio State University.

The Spartans, however, have the chance to propel themselves into spring and summer workouts with a new vigor among the returning class. Led by Frey, safety Montae Nicholson and Reschke defensively and sophomore running back LJ Scott, freshman wideout Donnie Corley and lineman Brian Allen on the offensive end, a win could give next year’s squad enough momentum for a quick turnaround.

“We had an opportunity to go to a bowl game in that one, there, so there was added incentive in that particular football game, but we built it as a program game because it set the tone for next year, regardless of what was going down,” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said. “I thought our seniors that year did an outstanding job accomplishing everything that we were doing, trying to do.”

3. Last chance to shake things up

MSU had a chance to effectively eliminate Ohio State from Big Ten title and College Football Playoff hopes last week but is poised with a similar opportunity this weekend. Beating Penn State will knock the No. 8 Nittany Lions out of College Football Playoff projections and spoil their hopes for a spot in the Big Ten title game.

MSU football players and coaches have said they don’t focus on playing the role of spoiler, but for a team that’s 3-8 that's looking for a chance to jumpstart their next season, anything is possible, especially considering MSU and Penn State is a rivalry dating back to when former MSU head coach George Perles MSU and former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno started the rivalry.

“To me, it's always been a year-end game for us,” Dantonio said. “I think almost every one of those games have been the last game of the season, whether it's been here or there. So it's always either sent us to a bowl game or allowed us to capture a championship like it did last year, and in 2010, so it's always been a game that's had a lot of meaning, and this game has a lot of meaning this year as well.”

4. Malik’s Spartan career might be done

Junior defensive lineman Malik McDowell has been out for two weeks in a row now and is currently listed as doubtful to play on Saturday with an ankle injury.

“I just left the depth chart as it was last week, basically, so we'll see whether he (McDowell) can practice or not and make decisions as the week goes on,” Dantonio said. “As far as those type of discussions, those are internal. We will see how the season plays out.”

McDowell has been a consistent first round pick projection in early NFL mock drafts, sitting as high as in the top 10 before the season started, McDowell sits seventh on the team in tackles with 34, the most among defensive linemen, including a team-high seven tackles for loss. His draft stock is high now and could bolt the Spartans for the NFL Draft. McDowell also sits behind only Raequan Williams for a team high in sacks with 1.5.

PREDICTION

This one’s a little different, I’m offering up two predictions for Saturday’s contest, depending on the outcome of a noon kickoff game between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 University of Michigan. (See “What to watch for," No. 3)

Penn State comes out with energy and hope if the Buckeyes win, making the final score between MSU and Penn State close, a 38-35 victory for the Nittany Lions on senior day. But, if U-M wins, Penn State comes out flat, knowing they don’t have a chance to make it to the Big Ten championship. MSU comes out on top in that scenario, 31-28 MSU.