Penn State Preview

collegefootballnews.com

Time: 7:30 PM EST
Location: Beaver Stadium
TV: ABC
Stream: ESPN App
Weather: 65 no rain
Line: Michigan +9.5




Will Michigan wear all white for a white out?  Maybe they should recycle those Maize jerseys as that might be the best game they have played all year.   Everyone by now knows I hate night games.   The reason, I hate going to sleep pissed off from what I just saw.  Jimmy doesn't like them either and has 1 win over Rutgers at night as Michigan head coach.   Not great Jim!


Tale of the Tape
UM offense vs. PSU Defense = PSU
PSU offense vs. UM Defense = Push
Rest = Penn State
Recent poor play = Michigan
Coaching = Michigan
Momentum = Penn State


Does this sound familiar?  Last year Penn State headed into the Big House being beat up on defense and after a loss to their instate rival.   They couldn't move the ball on offense against Michigan's defense and the Penn State defense being so banged up couldn't stop Michigan's offense.   Michigan housed them in what looked like another Penn State decline. 


Later that year, Michigan gave us a preview of their 2017 offense at Iowa and Penn State beat Ohio State in Happy Valley on a blocked punt.   Penn State ended up in the Big Ten Championship game and a trip to the Rose Bowl.


Stand up and Sing Hail to the Victors if............

• Michigan can win this game on defense
• Michigan's offense doesn't turn the ball over
• Michigan can find a way to score points
• Jimmy out coaches James Franklin

Yell, I better take an Advil PM if...................

• Michigan D can't stop Barkley and the long pass PSU offense
• Michigan's offense look like it has the past 2 weeks
• Jimmy's night game voodoo follows him to Happy Valley
• Michigan's offensive game plan is - offensive

James Franklin has a good team, it has a Heisman candidate, an 8th ranked defense, #2 AP ranking and a ton of momentum from last year's finish and rolling a bunch of bad teams.   This is not a great team, Iowa found a way at home to almost beat them and their running game/Barkley ground attack has been shut down by the likes of Northwestern and IU who just gave up 278 yards to Michigan.


James also struggles in game management situations but has a new contract and Texas AM is rumored to be already courting him.    Michigan has a clear advantage in coaching but we have failed to see that in the last two weeks.  Something is broken and its not on the defense. 


Is it the QB Play?  Probably.  Is it the RT position?  Maybe.  Is it the play calling?  It hasn't been good.


So what do we do now?  I have no idea.   Are the issues fixable?  Penn State won't let Michigan run the ball down their throat and O'Korn will have to complete passes to TE's.  In fact, only throw to TE's and Grant Perry.   I'm also good with a screen to Chris Evans.   Penn State's defense did have trouble against Iowa in short to mid pass routes. 


If Michigan is going to win this game they have to do it on defense.   They will have to give the offense short fields and even score points.  Michigan's offense will have to try to hold on to the ball and find a couple more points out there.   I don't see Penn State running over the Michigan defense unless they are on the field non-stop.   Everything points to a Penn State victory, which I hope the Michigan coaches can use for motivation.   Is it possible that Herbie and ABC Primetime College Football don't do anymore Michigan games?

Penn State 21 Michigan 10