Michigan’s handled all comers since an opening week loss to Notre Dame. The Wolverines have dispatched formerly-ranked foes like Wisconsin and Michigan State en route to the No. 5 spot in the first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings.
Michigan vs. Penn State 2018 live stream: Time, TV schedule, prediction, and how to watch online
Penn State smashed Michigan last year — but Saquon Barkley played a huge role in that.
Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
But their biggest test since Week 1 will roll into Ann Arbor Saturday knowing their slim Big Ten title hopes rest on earning a win in the Big House. Penn State handled Iowa last week to prevent a crushing third loss in conference play, but the Nittany Lions’ margin for error is slim. A victory on the road would likely vault James Franklin’s team back into the top 10 and keep a New Year’s Day bowl on the table.
It won’t be easy. Michigan’s average margin of victory in Big Ten games this fall is more than 21 points.
Michigan vs. Penn State prediction:
The S&P+ ratings see Michigan as the nation’s No. 4 team. Penn State clocks in at 10th. While the Wolverines will have a big home field advantage Saturday, the Nittany Lions can rely on the “how is he still doing this?” talent of Trace McSorley to make this a game. Still, Michigan appears to be peaking in year four of the Harbaugh experiment, and the real story to watch is whether he and James Franklin exchange any heated glances in a nine-point win.
Time, TV channel, and streaming info
Michigan vs. Penn State news:
- A young Penn State defense is growing as the season wears on, so this Nittany Lion team looks very different than it did two months ago.
- Don Brown has high praise for the Michigan defense, and that guy knows college football defenses.
- From a purely statistical vantage point, this game favors the visitors.
- Shea Patterson and Trace McSorley are either the Big Ten’s swaggiest quarterbacks or its most annoying, depending on your outlook.
What can Trace McSorley do with his reduced supporting cast?
McSorley led an offense that smashed the Wolverines into dust in a 42-13 win last fall. But that was
a) in Happy Valley, and
b) with Saquon Barkley on the roster.
Barkley scored two touchdowns in the game’s first five minutes to effectively end this one before the students could finish drinking and head to the stadium. Now McSorley will have to do it without him. McSorley ran three touchdowns in himself last year, but he’ll have a lot less running space against a much-improved Michigan defensive front. If they can keep him from extending plays with his feet, will McSorley have the arm to throw his team to an upset win?
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