Analyzing if Penn State still has what it takes to defeat Michigan

With two major games on their schedule, Penn State has already lost the first of the pair with their 20-12 defeat at Ohio State. Now, when it comes to the Nittany Lions, all eyes are on their date with Michigan on November 11.

On3’s JD PicKell joined Andy Staples on his show on Sunday to discuss that matchup in Beaver Stadium next month. In his opinion, PicKell does believe that Penn State could still beat the Wolverines since it’s on their home turf and it will be the first true test for their opposition this season.

“I think that is still a possibility just by nature of it being in Happy Valley,” said PicKell. “Like, we left Columbus yesterday and we had a fair amount of chill time. We were just talking, like, ‘Man, if that game is not in The ‘Shoe?’. I don’t know if Penn State wins but do we see, like, more competent offensive play? Do we see Drew Allar a little bit more settled down? Not even saying they win the football game – just saying maybe, just maybe, you have a different final score that’s a little bit more respectable for the Penn State offense.”

“With it being in State College, with it being, truly, the first real test for Michigan? Like, that’ll be the first heavyweight they have to lift all season,” PicKell noted. “I think that could kind of play an advantage for Penn State.”

However, if they’re going to win, what needs to change for the Nittany Lions? They certainly can’t put up a similar performance to what they did in Columbus if they want to knock off another one of the best teams in the nation.

To PicKell, that improvement starts with continued development from Allar. Add in the continued play of their run game as well as an emerging target at one skill position and that would be the recipe for Penn State to knock off their other highly-ranked conference foe.

“This, again, is sort of the obvious answer outside of the wide receiver position – you look at Drew Allar. Like, how much can he mature?” asked PicKell. “How much does he learn from this game at Ohio State in that kind of road atmosphere?”

“I think the tight end play for Penn State (needs to improve) too. What we saw Cade Stover be for Ohio State yesterday? Kind of making the middle of the field something he kind of took over in a lot of different situations. Like, that jump ball over the middle where he just little boyed Penn State defender? He, essentially, just made the middle of the field his deal,” said PicKell. “If Penn State can have some guys step up weapon-wise at that position group? And have them be a little more consistent and be an option for Drew Allar? You wonder if, maybe, that settles him down a little bit more.”

It’s going to take another gear, or at least a better one than they’ve shown, for Penn State to rebound and beat Michigan when they meet. Still, if they can find that growth on offense, PicKell remains optimistic that they could give the Wolverines a game, or even win the day, when that moment comes.