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Penn State Football: Closing the gap on Michigan Wolverines

By Andrew Adair

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - OCTOBER 19: (L-R) Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions shakes hands with head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines after the game on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - OCTOBER 19: (L-R) Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions shakes hands with head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines after the game on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Penn State Football
Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Upgrade the Offensive Line

There is a common theme when Michigan beats Penn State Football.

Michigan gets to the quarterback.

In the last three losses to Michigan, Penn State has given up seven sacks, five sacks, and six sacks.

The rushing attack did not fare any better in the last three losses. The usually potent rushing game has been held to 2.6 yards per carry(ypc), 2.3ypc, and 2.5ypc in the losses. It is very hard to win games with these types of numbers.

Michigan has a clear advantage over Penn State football in the trenches. The Michigan defense dominates Penn States’ offensive line.

This can be tied to coaching and the failure to develop talent on the offensive line. One of James Franklin’s biggest mistakes might have been not renewing Matt Limegrovers’ contract after the 2019 season.

The offensive line was a strong point for Penn State Football during Limegrovers’ tenure. Since his departure, this position group has fallen on hard times.

I’m not saying that Penn State needs to hire Matt Limegrover back … That ship has sailed.

Penn State does need to show a vast improvement with current offensive line coach Phil Trautwein.

The recruiting for the offensive line is there and improving. Talent cannot be an excuse any longer. To close the gap against Michigan, Phil Trautwein has to make this group elite in the coming seasons.

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