First Look: Penn State Vs. Michigan

For the second consecutive yr, Penn State takes a 5-0 report into the house of a top-five opponent. Final yr, the season went sideways following a number of key accidents and a loss to Iowa. Will this yr go otherwise?

Penn State visits Michigan on Saturday within the first recreation between the groups as unbeatens since 1997. The stakes can be substantial, because the winner declares itself as a contender for the Huge Ten East title and probably the Faculty Soccer Playoff.

For the Lions, who’ve been pointed towards this second since dropping at Iowa, now’s the time.

Penn State (5-0) vs. Michigan (6-0)

• When: Midday ET Saturday
• The place: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.
• TV: FOX
• Streaming: FuboTV (Begin your free trial)
• Collection Historical past: Michigan leads 15-10
• Final Assembly: Michigan 21-17 in 2021

Concerning the Lions: Bear in mind the final time Penn State performed Michigan after a bye? “Saquon Barkley, say bye bye,” ESPN’s Chris Fowler mentioned.

What did the Lions toy with throughout this bye week? They may want a bit liveliness, as a result of the offense has been reasonably one-note the previous few weeks. Actually, climate restricted Penn State’s go recreation in a 17-7 win over Northwestern, however the Lions have not thrown the ball nice their previous two video games. Penn State’s completion charge was 67.3 p.c the primary three video games and 57.6 p.c the previous two. It is a recreation that good Sean Clifford can win, however he’ll have to see the sphere, get the ball out rapidly and be considerably extra correct downfield. Ought to Penn State get to the purple zone, that is the place Clifford shines. Clifford is Professional Soccer Focus’ highest-rated red-zone quarterback with a 92.9-percent completion charge (13 for 14) and 7 touchdowns. Evidently, Penn State will see a sizzling quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, who had his first profession 300-yard passing recreation Saturday vs. Indiana and threw three second-half landing passes. Nice check for Joey Porter Jr., Ji’Ayir Brown and Penn State’s secondary.

Concerning the Wolverines: Michigan ranks tenth nationally in go protection (157.8 yards per recreation), however take into account a few of the passing offenses it has confronted: Colorado State (ranked 114th nationally), Hawaii (109), Connecticut (128) and Iowa (120). Indiana brought on Michigan some points with its tempo and personnel, although the Hoosiers nonetheless managed simply 203 yards passing on 49 makes an attempt. Clifford and Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich vs. the Michigan protection represents one of many recreation’s alternative matchups. As does Michigan working again Blake Corum vs. Penn State’s entrance seven. Corum entered the Indiana recreation averaging 122.2 yards per recreation and main the nation with 10 dashing touchdowns. He rushed for 124 and one other rating vs. the Hoosiers. Corum can be an enormous drawback for Penn State. In the meantime, McCarthy’s large day (28 of 36, 304 yards, three touchdowns) helped Michigan overcome a sluggish first half scoring. “It was good to see the younger quarterback come of age,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh mentioned.

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Learn Extra

The shock stars of Penn State’s season

Is Penn State prepared for Michigan?

Why Beano Cook dinner actually liked Penn State

Penn State’s working again room modifications once more

The Lions’ subsequent highway check: A Michigan Maize Out

What we learn about Penn State at 5-0

Sean Clifford says Penn State’s in a great place after 5-0 begin

Working again Devyn Ford now not with the workforce

AllPennState is the place for Penn State information, opinion and perspective on the SI.com community. Writer Mark Wogenrich has lined Penn State for greater than 20 years, monitoring three teaching staffs, three Huge Ten titles and a catalog of nice tales. Comply with him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And take into account subscribing (button’s on the house web page) for extra nice content material throughout the SI.com community.