12:05 pm
November 28

Penn State @ Michigan

Who will WIN this matchup?

Penn State Nittany Lions (0-5)

@ Michigan Wolverines (2-3)

 

Current odds:

Penn State Nittany Lions: (-105)

Michigan Wolverines: (-115)

 

• The line for this game is Michigan by 1 point.

• Michigan has faced Penn State 23 times during the schools’ storied football histories. The 24th meeting could be the least anticipated matchup in the series. Both teams are struggling through shockingly poor seasons and they’ll bring a combined 2-8 record into Saturday’s game at Michigan Stadium.

• The Wolverines (2-3, 2-3 Big Ten) ended a three-game skid on Saturday by surviving a 48-42, triple-overtime shootout with Rutgers, a program that has dropped 25 of its last 26 Big Ten games. Their outlook looks rosy compared to the Nittany Lions, who have lost their first five games for the first time in the program’s 134-year history.

• Perhaps the most positive development in Michigan’s win in New Jersey, other than breaking the losing streak, was that it may have found a starting quarterback. Sophomore Cade McNamara replaced starter Joe Milton late in the first half and threw four touchdown passes and 260 yards without a turnover. He also notched a rushing touchdown during the second overtime period. Coach Jim Harbaugh refused to name McNamara as the starter against Penn State, though it would be surprising if he didn’t make a change. Milton was intercepted four times in the previous two games and the team went scoreless against Rutgers until McNamara provided the spark.

• The Wolverines also had struggled to run the ball since a season-opening victory at Minnesota. They may have found their No. 1 option against the Scarlet Knights. Hassan Haskins had 23 carries for 111 yards and the winning touchdown.

• The Nittany Lions have given up an average of 36 points this season. Penn State was no match for Iowa last Saturday, trailed by as much as 24 points in a 41-21 loss.

• Turnovers have been a major factor in Penn State’s demise. Quarterback Sean Clifford has been picked off eight times and the Nittany Lions have also lost five fumbles. Their quarterbacks have been sacked 20 times.

• Will Levis started at quarterback against the Hawkeyes but was ineffective. Clifford replaced him and threw two touchdown passes, then was picked off twice. Franklin says he’ll continue to use both quarterbacks.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Michigan Wolverines
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