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Penn State Football vs. Michigan: 3 keys to victory

By Lawrence Santa Maria

Nov 21, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Antonio Shelton (55) dances for teammates prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Antonio Shelton (55) dances for teammates prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Iowa Hawkeyes players celebrate an interception returned for a touchdown by defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon (54)(Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)
Iowa Hawkeyes players celebrate an interception returned for a touchdown by defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon (54)(Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports) /

Win the turnover battle

"“That’s been the story of the season, turnovers” Franklin said at his weekly press conference. “You can’t turn the ball over and when you have opportunities to get turnovers, you got to get them. That is the story of the game(Iowa), that is the story of the season.”"

Penn State football ranks 124th out of 127 FBS schools this season with a -1.8 turnover margin.

Defensive coordinator Brent Pry’s defense has only forced four turnovers this season, while the offense has given it away 13 times, with opponents capitalizing for 57 points off those turnovers. Many of these miscues fall on quarterback Sean Clifford, especially early in games and has led to Penn State facing a double digit halftime deficit in each of there five games this season.

This has been a stark contrast compared to the 2019 Penn State squad, who ranked 20th in the nation in turnover margin at +0.7. The 2019 version of the Nittany Lions was opportunistic, forcing turnovers and setting up the Penn State offense with good field position. Penn State’s average starting field position this season has been the 28 yard line, forcing them to consistently piece together long drives, which is made even tougher with a lack of a running game.

Michigan is 87th in college football with a -0.4 turnover margin this season, however there issues are more about being unable to create turnovers then giving the ball away. The Wolverines have only turned the ball over five times this season, yet have similar issues to Penn State in that they haven’t been opportunistic on defense. Whoever can create that first big turnover in this one could provide a needed momentum swing for there team. James Franklin keeps referencing trying to give his offense a ‘shot in the arm;’ a big turnover that sets them up in good field positon could be just that.

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