Penn State falls to Michigan State with conservative game plan

Coming into the game against Michigan State, everyone and their mom knew that the Spartans were among the weakest pass defenses in college football. They don't have the athletes to play the simple, fast-flowing zone coverage they like to deploy on most downs. They also don't have the athletes to play in press-man coverage that they use in critical situations. Their biggest weakness, however, is giving up big plays. Not only do they struggle in coverage against good receivers, but coverage busts are a common problem for head coach Mel Tucker's secondary.