Penn State Football: Previewing The Opponent: Michigan

With one final home game left on the schedule Penn State is set to host No. 14 (8-2) Michigan this Saturday for a Noon kick. The Nittany Lions are looking to pick up win No. 8 on the year while Michigan fights for a regular season ending game against Ohio State for a shot at the Big Ten Title game. But in order to do that the Wolverines will have to navigate a White Out crowd and Senior Day emotions. 

Last Week: For the second game in three weeks Michigan found itself pushed to the brink of a third loss this season. This time it was Indiana giving the Wolverines a run for their money in an eventual 48-41 double OT victory for Michigan on the road. Just two games prior the Wolverines picked up another victory with a last minute goal line fourth down stand against Minnesota on the road. It’s safe to say Michigan is a better team than those late victories, but the Wolverines are far from unbeatable even if Michigan State and Utah are the only teams to do it so far.

The Good: While Michigan’s offense is starting to be the more noticeable of the two major units, it’s the Wolverine defense that has helped get Michigan through the season. A 14.8 points allowed per game average is 6th best in the nation and aided largely by a mid season streak of three straight shutouts. 

Couple a strong defense with a 33 ppg average that ranks 38th in the nation and you have one balanced team. Jake Rudock has proven to be a more than serviceable quarterback in Jim Harbaugh’s offense 2220 yards passing, 14 TDs and 8 interceptions. Rudock is prone to a mistake from time to time but for the most part has done well operating an offense as it learns a new system. De’Veon Smith takes care of the rushing load with 582 yards and five scores. Amara Darboh and tight end Jake Butt are Michigan’s two most reliable targets both with over 500 yards receiving. Jehu Chesson hasn’t quite broken the 500 yard barrier but his seven touchdowns lead the team so far this season.

The Bad:

While Michigan’s defense is still going to give team’s fits, a early season spurt has helped the cause somewhat. Three times this season the Wolverines have given up 25+ to Big Ten opponents and have yet to hold a team to fewer than 16 points in the past four games. It’s hard to say that Michigan’s defense is a weak link, because it isn’t, but it’s maybe not as impossible to crack as it may appear on paper. Then again the nation’s 6th best pass defense isn’t far off of Penn State’s No. 2 ranked unit in the same category. Michigan is also ranked No. 8 in run defense as well.

The Player To Watch:

Usually this category has been the quarterback by default in most cases, but this week it’s going to be do-it-all athlete Jabrill Peppers whose work on defense lands him fifth on the team in tackles and his work on offense fifth in total yards. Peppers is perhaps most dangerous on kick return duties but between his abilities on all three units, Penn State will have few downs to catch its breath. Peppers won’t play most offensive downs, but in the redzone and key situations he will get the ball. So by default this makes Peppers the player to watch.

The Prediction:  

It’s easy to pick Michigan in this game simply because they’re a more well put together team on paper. A noon kick, even with a White Out isn’t nearly as terrifying as say a night game. Penn State has the tools to pull off the upset on Senior Day, but who knows when or if they’ll show up. It’s not crazy to think Michigan’s emotional past few weeks and the wear and tear of the season could result in a clunker of a game, but it’s hard to say that day will be this weekend. 

Michigan either has this game in hand by halftime or wins it late. Just depends on which Penn State team shows up.

24-10 Michigan