STAFF PREDICTIONS
Wolverines Wire staff writers Isaiah Hole and Trent Knoop share their thoughts on the game, two soft predictions, one bold prediction and the final score.
Isaiah Hole:
What do we really know about either team going into this one? For all of the talk of Michigan’s cupcake schedule to begin the year, the Wolverines did what they were supposed to do in all three games. Penn State mostly did, but has had closer than expected games against Central Michigan and Northwestern, which doesn’t give me a ton of confidence in the Nittany Lions. However, though Auburn may be about as daunting as Indiana this year, PSU also went down and handled business in a daunting environment.
Both teams feature stellar run defenses, with Michigan’s middle being equivalent to P.J. Mustipher — who the Wolverines didn’t see in Happy Valley last year. The Penn State pass defense is among the country’s worst, but that’s due to teams throwing more on them due to an inability to get the run game going. J.J. McCarthy has been more consistent thus far than Sean Clifford, who has been hit or miss as usual. The PSU offensive line seems improved and it’ll be relying on two freshman running backs, who will be in, again, a daunting environment, and certainly playing against the best defense they’ve seen all year.
Also, I feel like Michigan’s had more individual tests — Maryland’s offense and Iowa’s defense — than Penn State has had. However, I could see this game going either way for either team. I do think Michigan is the better team, but it will all come down to who executes better on Saturday.
-Soft predictions
- Penn State leads going into halftime, but Michigan dominates the second half
- The Michigan defense allows about 100 yards rushing to the Nittany Lions
-Bold prediction
- Michigan’s offense looks completely different, and J.J. McCarthy again hits 300 yards
-Final score prediction
- Michigan 24, Penn State 17
Trent Knoop:
This game comes down to two things for me. First, which team runs the ball better? These two teams are similar in the fact that they both want to pound the rock and let their passing games work off the run game. The Nittany Lions rely on two freshmen, and Michigan has mostly relied on Blake Corum to lead the team,. But Donovan Edwards is capable of giving Corum a breather.
Secondly, which quarterback can put his respective team on his back if the run game isn’t working? Both Michigan and Penn State are really good against the run this season, but the Nittany Lions are one of the worst against the pass whereas Michigan has been mostly good against the pass.
If you look at talent and potential, Michigan should win this game, but if the Wolverines start turning the ball over, then Penn State can easily win this game.
-Soft predictions
- Both tight ends lead their respective team in receptions
- Michigan gets three or more sacks
-Bold prediction
- Blake Corum runs for 120 yards
Final score prediction
- Michigan 27, Penn State 17
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