Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Michigan Wolverines Preview and Prediction

MI will look to take advantage of a Penn State defense that has looked rather shaky to start the season. Barkley’s seven combined TDs are the most since Lydell Mitchell had eight in 1971.

The Wolverines are coming off a 45-28 victory over Colorado at the Big House after falling behind 21-7 in the first quarter. Trace McSorley has thrown passes of 40 yards or longer to five teammates.

Franklin pointed out that a significant portion of the 159 points MI scored in its three games were courtesy of the defense and special teams.

MI freshman receiver Devin Asiasi had both his first career reception and first touchdown with 14:09 left in the half and the Wolverines scored once more before the half on a two-yard Karan Higdon rush. I expect Lewis to be matched up on Penn State receiver Chris Godwin. He had a 52-yard TD reception.

Penn State will need those fundamentals to be crisp to slow the Wolverines. Penn State’s expected to do something other than lose against at least one of those teams.

Among them is Koa Farmer a redshirt sophomore. MI is second nationally and tied for the Big Ten lead with IL. He also figures to be a threat on the Wolverine offense, too.

“They want to establish the run with their offensive line”, Franklin said earlier this week.

Peppers leads Football Bowl Subdivision with an average of 3.2 tackles for a loss per game.

Yes, even you folks from the South can come along if you want.

Brown wasn’t happy about his defense’s performance in the first quarter last week against the Buffaloes as MI fell into an early 21-7 hole while giving up some big plays in the passing game.

With the non-conference slate wrapped up, Penn State hits the road this week traveling to No. 4/5 MI. Penn State is already without fellow starters Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda who, while they have not been announced as out, appear to be unlikely to play against MI after missing last week.

It’s not completely under way, but four of today’s seven games will be conference games and we’ll finally kick off the race to the Big Ten Title game. MI is 6-3 against Penn State at home. The Nittany Lions have the second-fewest seniors in the country with 12. Penn State defeated Temple 34-27.

PIVOTAL PLAYS: Michigan has had success getting offenses off the field, letting opponents convert just 4 of 38 third downs, the best success rate in the FBS.

Penn State is 1-9 ATS in its last 10 games on the road. The over is 11-0 in Michigan’s last 11 games.

Angelique S. Chengelis: The Wolverines got a wake-up call last week and overcame a two-touchdown deficit. MI is expecting the return of all-conference cornerback Jourdan Lewis. Couple that with previously sustained injuries to defensive end Evan Schwan and cornerback Grant Haley, and Penn State has themselves a mash unit. The now-weekly question: How much havoc will Jabrill Peppers and Rashan Gary cause in the game?

Bob Wojnowski: The Nittany Lions have sped up and spread out their offense, and RB Saquon Barkley can do significant damage. “I can continue to grow as a player, which I will do”.

However, Brady seemed to vanquish some of those ghosts by getting back on the MI field.

Familiar faces: A number of players on the teams attended high school together: Penn State’s Brian Gaia and Ellison Jordan played with U-M’s Henry Poggi at The Gilman School in Maryland.