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Penn State vs. Michigan Position Grades

By Shane Lunnen

Sep 24, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 24, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin talks about a turnover with the lineman in the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin talks about a turnover with the lineman in the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Coaching

Down 28 in the third quarter, James Franklin took a timeout to avoid backing up a field goal from 21 yards to 26 yards.  Also, when you talk aggressive offense and you go for three when you are down four scores, that’s basically giving up.

It seemed like the coaches did not have the team prepared from the opening kickoff.  Everything was an utter disaster from the start.

The team lacks fundamentals at times and that is on the coaches.  There should not be that many missed tackles and this team can’t afford to miss the simple opportunities when there are so many injuries.

On the other side of that coaching coin, I will add this one side note for the team’s overall performance.  I like to peruse social media after games, just to get the pulse of the fans.  It usually isn’t pretty after losses, but after Saturday’s game, it seemed like many thought we were going to beat Michigan, or at the very least, keep it close.

Sure, I thought the offense would move the ball and score more points, but we all should have known the Penn State defense was completely over-matched before kickoff.  Another injury and the ejection just amplified the problems.

The next two weeks will define where this season will go.  If we see repeat performances against Minnesota and Maryland, then sure, we can revisit some of this “Fire Franklin” talk.  I’m just not ready to jump on that bandwagon quite yet.

Grade: D

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