In the quest for the Land Grant Trophy, Michigan State has come out victorious four out of the last five times — the last two years resulting in upset victories for the Spartans.

So, when No. 6 Penn State travel to East Lansing this Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC), the Nittany Lions will bring two year's worth of motivation, and one of the most explosive offenses in college football, in hopes of ending their MSU struggles.

"When you look at Penn State, Coach Franklin has done a great job there thus far," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. "Offensively, Sean Clifford, their quarterback, is playing at a high level. Offensive line, I believe three guys are back. Tight end is No. 87 (Pat Freiermuth), is a guy that certainly with KJ Hamler No. 1, is a guy that you stop Penn State, you have to first and foremost stop him. He's an outstanding player and makes things happen. Also on special teams, he's making things happen, as well as the kickoff returner, punt returner."

Michigan State's defense has been uncharacteristically gashed in its recent outings, giving up 30-plus points in three-consecutive games for the first time since 2009. It won't get any easier, as the Nittany Lions have the second-ranked scoring offense in the Big Ten, only behind Ohio State.

“They can’t lay off, we can’t lay off this week," Spartan linebacker Joe Bachie said. "It's a big game. It’s the Land Grant Trophy. You know, we’ve had it the past two years, four of the past five, and they’re going to be ready to go. They’re 7-0, they have big goals and we have a big game this week because we have big goals too."

Sean Clifford:

It's been a while since Trace McSorley hasn't been in command of Penn State's offense. Well, he's now in the NFL. But Clifford has stepped in admirably and hasn't missed a beat in his first season as the starting quarterback for Penn State.

The redshirt sophomore has completed 63% of his passes this season, and has thrown 16 touchdowns compared to two interceptions. His 1,742 passing yards ranks second in the Big Ten, only behind Iowa'a Nate Stanley, and Clifford has thrown for three touchdowns in three of Penn State's last four games — including last week's 28-21 win over No. 19 Michigan.

“I think when you watch the film or watch the TV copy, they kind of look the same in there," Bachie said of Clifford and McSorley. "They move around a little bit, they throw the ball the same. ... Clifford is stepping up and they’re 7-0 right now. They’re rolling, so it’s a big game for them, big game for us this week."

KJ Hamler:

When talking about explosive, the conversation begins with the man wearing No. 1 for Penn State.

Hamler is a game-changer. He's pure speed, quick, elusive and everything an offense would want in a receiver. And he will always be the main focus for an opposing defense — as it is for Michigan State this Saturday.

The Pontiac, Michigan native, who was once on MSU's recruiting radar, has scored five touchdowns in his last four games, and seven total this season. The Nittany Lions will use him in numerous different ways by lining him up in the slide, motioning him across the formation and even putting him in the backfield next to Clifford. Hamler is the focal point of explosion that makes the Nittany Lions offense go.

Now, the Spartans have to find a way to shut him down.

“Someone has got to get a re-route on him," Bachie said. "You see teams just press him man-to-man, which usually doesn’t work out in your favor. You got to have someone underneath, you got to have someone up top. He’s an explosive player, so we got to be ready and I think we got a good game plan for him.”

Running Backs Committee:

There isn't a Saquon Barkley on Penn State's roster, but the group of running backs that the Nittany Lions use do just enough to keep defenses honest.

Freshman Noah Cain leads with six touchdowns on the ground, while averaging over five yards per carry. Journey Brown, Devyn Ford and Ricky Slade all get a good share of touches in the backfield as well, combining for 576 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

And when he's not slinging the ball downfield, Clifford has the confidence to get in between the tackles, tuck the ball and use his legs to beat the defense. On 70 carries, he has rushed for 269 yards and three touchdowns.

All of that production occurs behind an experienced offensive line with three upperclassmen in LG Steven Gonzalez, C Michal Menet and RT Will Fries.

Mark Dantonio has had Penn State's number in recent years. The Nittany Lions have had good individual players in those matchups — McSorley and Barkley included. But now they have a complete offense. A group of backs that get the job done paired with an experienced offensive line, a game-breaking wideout with a quarterback that can make all of the throws.

It will take a fight from Michigan State's defense to hang on to the Land Grant Trophy for another year.

“They're an explosive offense," Bachie said. "You got to limit those plays," Bachie said. "They rely on — they a good receiver, a very explosive guy. They have a quarterback that's got a good connection with him right now. And they rotate a lot of running backs. Different mix of things and they’re just another good team, top-10 team we got to get ready for this week.”