This is a 10* BIG TEN GOY on Penn State.

Revenge. It's a powerful motivating factor, or it can potentially be a powerful motivating factor. Both for the teams actually playing the game, and also for handicappers in their arsenal as far as looking at motivation etc when it comes to a matchup.

Sometimes the "revenge factor" can be wildly over-rated, but other times it definitely is something that can't be ignored. And that's the case with this game here on Wednesday in my opinion.

Michigan State hammered Penn State 92-61 on January 4th, with Malike Hall going for a career-high 24 points, but now it's time for the Nittany Lions to respond.

And they've actually done really well in this spot for bettors going 7-3 against the spread in their last ten in trying to avenge a straight up and against the spread conference road loss in which they were held to 69 or fewer points in.

The difference in the first game was at the three-point line, as the Spartans went 10 of 21 from range, while the Nittany Lions were just 3 of 29.

Now back at home, I think those big discrepancies will correct themselves here for Penn State.

Michigan State is off an 88-80 upset of then No. 10 Illinois and has won four of its last five, which really sort of sets this up as a potential letdown spot in my opinion, especially with a big rivalry game at Michigan up next for the Spartans.

Letdown + look-ahead = TRAP GAME!

Penn State is looking to get back on track here as it had won three straight before its most recent 68-63 loss to Northwestern.

While I do think an outright victory is possible, my official call will be to grab as many points as you can with PENN STATE.

Good luck, NP