Penn State Football: schedule preview for Michigan
The one game that fans and Penn State football players will have circled on their calendars is Michigan. The Nittany Lions will be out for major revenge.
The biggest, loss (points-wise) of Penn State football’s 2016 season came at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines. At the time, the Nittany Lions were still creating their identity as a young squad and were decimated 49-10 by a defensive juggernaut.
Penn State football’s lowest point of the 2016 season followed with a shining comeback tour. Although the team suffered greatly, it weathered the brutal road contest to come out with a double-digit winning season. The offense managed just 191 total yards of offense in the loss, but the unit has less on its plate this season.
Ann Arbor Departure
The team’s struggles are nothing to look down upon, especially since most of the 2016 defense will play on Sundays. For instance, key starting defensive players Jabrill Peppers, Taco Charlton, Ben Gedeon, Chris Wormley, Ryan Glasgow and Jourdan Lewis headline a mass exodus of players that graduated or moved on to the NFL.
Michigan’s defense ranked second in the nation in yards allowed per game (253). Those numbers are bound to dip with the amount of departures. The offense won’t be in improved shape either.
Amara Darboh, Jehu Chesson, Jake Butt and De’Veon Smith leave a massive receiving and rushing hole to fill. Those four players were the top four receivers along with leading rusher Smith (846 yards, 10 touchdowns). Three starting offensive linemen also graduated making this offense depleted in Wilton Speight’s return.
A strong, explosive veteran defense could exact revenge similar to what Penn State experienced this year on offense. To sum up, Michigan still went to the Orange Bowl last year and went 20-6 through its first two seasons under Harbaugh.
It’s hard to see any team coach by him fall by the wayside. Young playmakers on both sides return making it a good matchup still. Sophomore defensive end Rashan Gary and sophomore running back Chris Evans are just two names to watch for.
Past is in the past
If there’s one thing the Nittany Lions likely want to do it’s put this loss behind them. After the defeat at the Big House, Penn State rolled to nine straight wins. The team created two Heisman Trophy candidates in Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley. In addition, the defense became a respectable force, outside of the USC game.
Must Read: Penn State Football: Schedule preview for Pitt
Although Penn State finished the season 11-3, there’s certainly unfinished business the team wants to wrap up. Outside of the Pitt game, Michigan is next in line.