Michigan came into Week 7 out of its bye week, but on a two-game losing streak in the Big Ten, and the Wolverines' offense was seemingly in more disarray than anyone knew. Quarterback Bryce Underwood, who reportedly spent the bye week in California with his personal quarterback coach, Jordan Palmer, was benched at halftime with Penn State leading 3-0.
Then, with backup Tommy Carr at the helm, Michigan roared to life for a 21-point second half and a 21-18 victory over the Nittany Lions, who now sink to 3-4 and 0-4 in conference play.
While Kyle Whittingham staved off a full-scale collapse in Ann Arbor, Matt Campbell watched as Penn State sank even further into the depths of the Big Ten. Penn State entered as about a touchdown underdog, so a loss was expected, but it was hard to predict that it would be this infuriating.
Michigan might be fixed. But more likely, Michigan is still bad, and Penn State is just a whole lot worse. So, let’s dissect a fourth-straight loss with the winners and losers from Week 7.
Losers
3. Benjamin Brahmer
Benjamin Brahmer was on the receiving end of Penn State’s two-point conversion after a Carson Hansen touchdown in the second half brought the Nittany Lions within five. However, he finished with four catches for 24 yards and has only cleared the 50-yard mark once this season. That was in Week 2 against Temple, also the last time Brahmer caught a touchdown.
For this offense to work, Penn State needed Brahmer to be a mismatch problem, and he’s largely been a non-factor in each of the last two weeks.
2. The pass-rush
What pass-rush, you might ask. And you would be right to do so. Penn State finished with one sack against Michigan, courtesy of do-it-all off-ball linebacker Tony Rojas. Penn State has averaged one sack per game in Big Ten play and doesn’t appear to have a single difference-maker along its entire defensive line; not on the interior and not on the edge.
Underwood didn’t take advantage of the clean pockets he was given, but Carr certainly did, managing to go 5/7 for 47 yards in the second half as the offensive line leaned on Penn State’s defensive front to dominate on the ground.
Penn State’s run defense is still the bigger weakness on that side of the ball, but for the pass rush to allow Carr to get comfortable in the first meaningful action of his career is more confirmation that this group is a major issue.
1. Rocco Becht
Rocco Becht is far from the only issue on the Penn State offense. Without Koby Howard, the Nittany Lions have lacked a dynamic element, though Chase Sowell was excellent in Week 7, and the offensive line has yet to produce any run lanes for an underwhelming backfield.
Yet, if Becht, the most experienced quarterback in college football, is supposed to do anything, he’s supposed to protect the ball and not lose a game when the opponent is trying its best to do so. Yet, Becht, who was asked to do a lot with 44 pass attempts and seven carries, handed the game right back to Michigan with three turnovers, including two abysmal interceptions.
Becht is a redshirt senior quarterback who has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he cannot elevate the uninspiring collection of offensive talent Campbell and general manager Derek Hoodjer have assembled in Happy Valley. Maybe redshirt freshman Alex Manske can. It’s worth finding out.
Winners
3. Terry Smith
Terry Smith is somehow still the most recent Penn State coach to beat a Power Conference opponent, dating back to his Pinstripe Bowl victory over Clemson. However, that’s not why he’s the winner, and not justification for an argument that he should have been elevated to the head job.
The reason Smith is on this list is the way his group of defensive backs is playing. True freshman Josiah Zayas had the play of the season with a one-handed interception, Audavavion Collins continued to be a lockdown No. 1 cornerback, and Daryus Dixson played very well on the other side. That trio, or quartet if you want to include Zion Tracy, who has moved back to safety, is the best thing about this Penn State team.
2. Tony Rojas
Rojas is a superstar, and he continues to play like it. He had 12 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. He has sideline-to-sideline speed, is a sure tackler in space, and has been Penn State’s best blitzer the entire season. He shoulders a massive responsibility in the middle of the defense, and has been up for it the entire way.
1. Chase Sowell
Penn State hasn’t appeared to have much at wide receiver since Howard went down in Week 3. That was expected to be problematic against the Michigan secondary, which is the most talented group of defensive backs Penn State has faced this year. However, Sowell dominated, especially in one-on-one matchups with Jyaire Hill, who is a quality NFL prospect.
Sowell didn’t just win as a separator; he was a force at the catch point as he hauled in 11 catches for 151 yards and a late touchdown that kept Penn State alive.
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