You know the Penn State-Michigan game has lost its luster when Northwestern-Minnesota is the conference’s game of the week instead. But when Penn State is coming off a home blowout loss to Northwestern and Michigan is coming off a road loss to Rutgers (that was preceded by a home blowout loss to Minnesota), that’s what happens.
How to watch Penn State vs. Michigan: Game guide, TV/streaming, odds
Will the bleeding stop for the Wolverines?
Alex Goodlett
The Nittany Lions were gaining a lot of steam a month into the season, starting 4-0 and having their NCAA sanctions lifted, meaning they were eligible to go to a bowl game. However, the Northwestern loss signaled some glaring holes on a team that isn’t ready from primetime in the Big Ten East.
Meanwhile, Michigan has been a complete train wreck, from player safety issues to inexplicable losses. The Wolverines are now 0-2 in the Big Ten and could struggle to become bowl eligible. Coach Brady Hoke and athletic director Dave Brandon could be out sooner rather than later. In other words, the participants in this game have seen better days.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Our sites on these teams
The numbers
Rankings and records: Michigan is 2-4, while Penn State is 4-1. Neither team is ranked.
Vegas: Penn State opened as a 2-point favorite but is now a 1-point underdog. The over/under is 41.
Weather forecast: Mostly sunny with a high of 57 and a low of 38.
Two things at stake
Michigan desperately needs a win to turn this season around. A loss would almost certainly mean the end to any hopes of bowl eligibility ... on October 11.
Can Penn State get back into the Big Ten East race as a dark horse? A blowout of Michigan might convince some people that the Nittany Lions could make some noise in the division.
One big matchup
Penn State passing offense vs. Michigan pass defense: Michigan's pass defense has been the weakness of that unit so far, and that was very clear in the last two games, when Rutgers and particularly Minnesota, whose quarterback has completed only 40 passes all year, were able to move relatively efficiently against the Wolverines through the air. If Gary Nova and Mitch Leidner can do that to Michigan, Christian Hackenberg certainly can. But if the Wolverines' defensive front can disrupt Hackenberg like Northwestern did, then they might be able to pull out the victory.
Further reading
Read Maize n Brew for more on Michigan and Black Shoe Diaries for more on Penn State.
See More:
