Early Thoughts/Discussion on Michigan?

CyphaPSU

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Oct 25, 2021
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I respect a program like OSU much more than one like Michigan. Over the course of the last couple decades I think Michigan's reputation on the national level has exceeded them, and that is partially due to living on the coattails of OSU thanks to their rivalry.

Having said that, Harbaugh has righted the ship since last year and has them playing very well. Unlike in seasons prior to last year, Michigan's performance on the field is now more aligned to what their recruited talent might suggest it should be (an area in which I think PSU has also struggled). They are a good team and well put together. Therefore, they are a serious opponent for us and it is possible that the game will be a struggle for us in Ann Arbor.

On the balance, Penn State and Michigan have recruited very similarly in terms of talent rankings. And, it's been this way for several seasons. So, theoretically Michigan and Penn State should be very competitive with each other each year, and this year is no exception. We both recruit blue-chip athletes and typically have very good defenses. Where Michigan may have created an advantage over us, however, is in the areas of QB and OL development. I think those two areas are what propelled them last year and it's the same areas that we tend to complain about holding us back. Just like us, though, Michigan is eminently beatable.

In the overall hierarchy of the Big Ten as currently constituted and in light of resources, support, and talent, I view Ohio State at the top on a level unto themselves, and then Michigan and Penn State together in the second tier, followed by the other subsequent tiers. While the Ohio State game is always the one we need to win to get over the hump toward the goal of a Big Ten championship, I tend view the Michigan game as vital to establishing pecking order given how similar in stature our programs are. I know we are not going to be able to beat OSU each year, but I frankly hate losing to Michigan ever.

Let's Go State,
 

Ceasar

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Oct 7, 2021
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Thoughts: I hate Michigan, Bo and his five finger doctor, their smuga$$ fans who routinely know nothing about college football, their overrated history, their half a championship in the modern age, Ann Arbor, Robert McNamara, their weather, their towns, their uniforms, did I mention their smuga$$ness?, their crappy stadium, the overblown rivalry with O$U, their booger eating coach, Gerald Ford, Mushmouf and Mrs. Mushmouf and their somnolent offense (wake me up when our game with them is over) and their alumni whom I would never hire due to their smugga$$ness.

That sums up my early thoughts @Midnighter. I'll be back later to tell you how I really feel.
Major props on the Robert McNamara reference!
 

Hugh Laurie

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Oct 6, 2021
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This game is in Diaz's hands IMO. If the defense can hold Michigan to 20 points or less I think PSU will score enough to win. I think it will be a tight low scoring game but as in every game, turnovers and penalties will likely be the deciding factors.

I was in Hartsfield Jackson on my way back from the Auburn game and was stopped by a UM fan. He congratulated me on our win and said he was very worried about playing us this year. His concerns I think are well founded and we'll find out sure in about 10 days.
 
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GulfCoastLion

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Oct 14, 2021
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Is this true?


Yep. Remember it well. The big difference IMO was Penn State was ranked #3 already and may have been slight favorites vs #5 Michigan (in any case it was considered an even game headed in to it). It was a good, hard fought game against a very good scUM team. It took our stars showing up big time
Kijana Carter finished with 165 yards on 26 carries, while Kerry Collins turned in a 20-32, 231 yards and three touchdown performance. Defense played one of its best games. EDIT: the win propelled Penn State to #1 in the country that week.
 

PSUJam

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Oct 7, 2021
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Yep. Remember it well. The big difference IMO was Penn State was ranked #3 already and may have been slight favorites vs #5 Michigan (in any case it was considered an even game headed in to it). It was a good, hard fought game against a very good scUM team. It took our stars showing up big time
Kijana Carter finished with 165 yards on 26 carries, while Kerry Collins turned in a 20-32, 231 yards and three touchdown performance. Defense played one of its best games. EDIT: the win propelled Penn State to #1 in the country that week.
Oh I remember that part as I was a sophomore at that time. It's the other part that's astonishing. Almost 30 years since our last road victory over a top 5 team?
 
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bdgan

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Oct 12, 2021
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Stack the box, stop the run and make them pass lots.
We do that to everyone. DBs are left in one on one coverage
Two things travel very well: Running game and defense. Penn State so far has had both this season.
PSU defense hasn't faced a good power running team.

Michigan defense faced a good Maryland offense. They yielded 400 yds but didn’t break.
 

BobPSU92

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Oct 12, 2021
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"harbaugh’s not the worry, neither is the whole michigan team. I know their tactics, I have the advantage. The worry is the referees. If we meet the right sort, then this will work. We get some... referine...?"
 

Whiteout Lion

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Oct 28, 2021
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I’d like to see more first down pass attempts in this game. I think it’s vital for Clifford’s success to throw on run downs. Maybe get more vanilla zone defenses on first down for him to work with.
 

jimjim47

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Sep 21, 2021
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"harbaugh’s not the worry, neither is the whole michigan team. I know their tactics, I have the advantage. The worry is the referees. If we meet the right sort, then this will work. We get some... referine...?"
You still have James Franklin as your head coach. LOL
 
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psupride1997

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Oct 25, 2021
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Anything can happen in college football, but Michigan is better at just about every position, and they are at home. The spread seems about right.
 
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J.E.B

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Oct 30, 2021
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Anything can happen in college football, but Michigan is better at just about every position, and they are at home. The spread seems about right.
There is very little to suggest PSU even has a chance in this game. AA is a house of horrors for Franklion. Heck, the state of Michigan is. But this is college football and just when you start thinking no way is exactly when they find a way to victory. My bet is to lay it all on PSU, no matter the spread, and under 50 as I see a 24-21 type of game.
 
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blion72

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Oct 30, 2021
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Yep. Remember it well. The big difference IMO was Penn State was ranked #3 already and may have been slight favorites vs #5 Michigan (in any case it was considered an even game headed in to it). It was a good, hard fought game against a very good scUM team. It took our stars showing up big time
Kijana Carter finished with 165 yards on 26 carries, while Kerry Collins turned in a 20-32, 231 yards and three touchdown performance. Defense played one of its best games. EDIT: the win propelled Penn State to #1 in the country that week.
I think we all remember that game well. IMHO we were a lot better than UMich that year. we had far superior talent and an OFF that could not be stopped by UMich or the refs.

current situation is different. UM OL looks dominant over our DEF front. so not sure if Manny can scheme enough to stop the run. I can see us stopping the long runs, but maybe not the 5-15 yd steady pounding runs. This is going to be the same problem vs Minny and tOSU. how we play vs the run may be the top issue.

I think we totally stop the JJ McCarthy passing hype machine, but Harbaugh will not depend on that, so it won't be an issue.

our run game vs the UM run DEF feels pretty even, but we will see. LG has been a weak spot on the run. Hunter and Landon not been as effective as I thought. If we can run, this will be huge. SC not running is an issue, and teams are now scheming on the basis he is not going to run.

Our pass game cannot stretch the field with SC and the WRs. I happen to think this may be more SC than the WRs. In any case, MY OFF will need an exceptional pass scheme to make this effective. Again, SC not running is an added problem. I think we hit some passes, but not enough.

Overall OFF question - why is SC not running? that is the one tool he has that makes him a useful QB. If he is not running and all passing, then QB2 is far better. In fact, maybe QB3 is better also. SC running is what has helped keep DEF honest.

Special teams seem about the same, except the FG. If we need a pressure FG, I think it will be missed.

Home and referines will add 10 pt advantage for UM. My guess is we lose 31-21, as we are about even with this team on neutral setting with independent refs.
 

bdgan

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I’d like to see more first down pass attempts in this game. I think it’s vital for Clifford’s success to throw on run downs. Maybe get more vanilla zone defenses on first down for him to work with.
IND QB has very little time to throw and there's no running room between the tackles. PSU needs quick pass plays and Clifford has to avoid TOs.
 

VaDave4PSU

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Oct 12, 2021
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Michigan does have a gnarly pass rush. The IU quarterback looked pretty overwhelmed in what I saw (about one quarter’s worth, in total).

IU is 89th in sacks allowed. But they couldn't do anything with the DL on known passing downs, dropping back.
 
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Yogiman71

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Oct 8, 2021
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"harbaugh’s not the worry, neither is the whole michigan team. I know their tactics, I have the advantage. The worry is the referees. If we meet the right sort, then this will work. We get some... referine...?"

Referines going to be Referines.
 

psuro

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