Victory Bell Rings
Fansided

Penn State Football: Predicting the outcome of the Michigan game

By Barry Leonard Jr.

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions before the match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 23, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions before the match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 23, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 8
Next
Penn State Football
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: DaeSean Hamilton #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions crosses the goal line on a touchdown pass thrown by Saquon Barkley #26 (not pictured) during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Marty Leap, Contributor

The 2017 White Out Weekend is here! The #2 Penn State Nittany Lions are preparing to host No.19 Michigan on Saturday night in the game of the week in the college football world.

Michigan has arguably the best defense in the entire country, and is the best defense Penn State will face this regular season, while the Nittany Lion defense has allowed the fewest points in the FBS so far this season. Combine these two factors with Michigan’s offense being one of the worst in the Big Ten and Penn State’s offensive line being a mess, and this game has all the makings of a defensive struggle.

Turnovers and special teams will be vital in this game. While the Wolverines hold the edge in field goal kicking due to ex-Penn State commit Quinn Nordin having an excellent season while Tyler Davis has struggled, the punt game is a huge advantage for the Nittany Lions. Penn State also has the best turnover differential in the FBS, and Michigan quarterback John O’Korn can be a turnover machine.

Both offenses will struggle on Saturday night. However, Penn State’s defense will force two turnovers, DeAndre Thompkins will bust a long punt return, and a long TD run by Saquon Barkley add up to make the difference.

If the Nittany Lions can get even average offensive line play on Saturday night then this game could get ugly and fast. However, I do not see that happening. The Wolverine defense will keep this game close enough for Michigan to cover the 10 point spread and make Penn State fight for every inch they earn. But in the end, the difference between the Nittany Lion offense and Wolverine offense is too big. Penn State improves to 7-0 on the season.

Penn State 21
Michigan 13

Home/Penn State Football