Penn State Football’s 2021 schedule: Ranking Nittany Lions’ toughest games

Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with Brenton Strange #86(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with Brenton Strange #86(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Parker Washington #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

5. Michigan

After the scheduling change Friday, this game is no longer a back -to-back with Ohio State, which certainly helps the Nittany Lions.

This game along with Auburn certainly qualifies for a potential ‘white out’ game as Penn State Football looks to beat Michigan for the fourth time in five years.

Franklin went to Ann Arbor and left with a victory for the first time during his tenure as head coach, when Penn State picked up their first victory of the 2020 season with a 27-17 win over the Wolverines.

Michigan extended head coach Jim Harbaugh after this season but it seems like the program is trending in the wrong direction at the moment and will enter next season with huge question marks at quarterback and with a new defensive coordinator after they let go of Dom Brown.

This series has seen its fair share of blowouts over the past few meetings and next year feels like it could be one in favor of Penn State Football. It is easy to see a situation where Michigan comes limping into Happy Valley with a head coach on his way out and the scoreboard reflects it.