Penn State football will start training camp in a few short weeks and after that the season will quickly arrive. So as July slowly turns into August it is time to look ahead to the opponents the Nittany Lions will face this season. And so here are a few things to know about Michigan.
Offense:
The Jim Harbaugh effect ought to significantly improve a Michigan product that has otherwise staled over the years but it will still be a work in progress. Iowa starter turned Michigan transfer Jake Rudock is the favorite to start at quarterback even though Shane Morris has more time in the system. Whoever ends up under center will have to find new No. 1 target though as all-Big Ten receiver Devin Funchess headed to the next level. His ability to be a mismatch against opposing teams isn’t something easily replaced. The Wolverines return only five starters on offense, but experienced new starters like tight end Jake Butt won’t have to work too hard to get into the swing of things. Michigan averaged one play every 28.7 seconds which was third slowest in FBS. That will probably change.
Defense:
Jabrill Pepper is one of the best athletes in the conference at defensive back and as long as he’s healthy he’ll be a force to be reckoned with. Michigan will have to replace the ever reliable linebacker Jake Ryan and defensive end Frank Clark. Michigan has always been a solid team on defense even with the occasional miscues and that should only improve come the start of the Harbaugh era.
Biggest Game:
Opening the season at Utah isn’t an easy win by any stretch but the biggest game of the year will come on October 17th against Michigan State in Ann Arbor. If Michigan fans concede the fact that the Wolverines aren’t in the title hunt this year, it’s those first few games against the big dogs that will matter the most. Obviously hosting Ohio State is a big contest, but Michigan can make a bigger statement as to its improving status in the conference far earlier than November 28th.
Biggest Storyline:
Clearly the Jim Harbaugh addition to the conference is something that college football fans have watch unfold on a daily basis. At this point the question is how quickly he can improve the program. Realistically the program is a year or two or maybe three away from what fans want it to be. Their willingness to admit that will largely define how this upcoming season is perceived.
Prediction:
Penn State wins this game simply because Christian Hackenberg has been dynamite in late season contests. If this is in fact his final game in Beaver Stadium that will be a hard dynamic to bet against. It’s impossible to know how either team will look at the end of the year but it’s not hard to imagine Penn State pulling off one more big win under Hackenberg’s watch. He has done it before after all.
