By the numbers: Road wins, November success have fueled Michigan's dominance

Cue Kernkraft 400, because Michigan Wolverines football is ready to jam out. The hit song by Senfter is Penn State’s anthem during home football games at Beaver Stadium, but Michigan has succeeded in its goal to make the opposition’s music its own during road games over the last two-plus seasons.

Michigan has won its last nine road games, looking to make it 10 away victories in a row for the first time since 1946-49. The Maize and Blue have won 21 consecutive Big Ten games dating back to Oct. 30, 2021, a controversial 37-33 setback at Michigan State. That was U-M’s most recent road loss.

In 2021, Michigan won at Wisconsin for the first time since 2001. In 2022, it came out on top at Iowa and Ohio State for the first time since 2005 and 2000, respectively.

Back in 2021, Michigan had one loss heading into a Nov. 13 game at Penn State. The Wolverines were in the same situation two years prior and fell in a 28-21 heartbreaker at Beaver Stadium. But that Michigan team insisted it was “different” and came out with a 21-17 victory over the Nittany Lions, fueled by a late touchdown by tight end Erick All and last-minute fourth-down stop by the defense.

That win started this current nine-game road winning streak.

It hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows on the road under ninth-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines went 15-9 in away tilts in their first five seasons with Harbaugh at the helm, with two setbacks at Ohio State, two at Penn State, two at Wisconsin, one at Iowa, one at Utah and one at Notre Dame.

Michigan has jumped around in Madison, banged its head to Thunderstruck in Lincoln and waved pink towels in Iowa City — embracing those environments and the traditions that the home fans hold near and dear to their hearts.

It’s no coincidence that Michigan has become the class of the Big Ten in that span, either, with winning away from home being a requisite for success in a tough league. The Wolverines have won the last two Big Ten championships and are on the march for another.

“The time is now,” Michigan junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy texted some of his teammates this week, he revealed on the ‘Inside Michigan Football’ radio show. “All the work that we’ve been putting in since this winter, it all leads up to this. Nothing that we’ve done this entire season means anything.”

Graduate left guard Trevor Keegan said last week that how a team plays in November is how it’s remembered. Since 2021, Michigan is 9-0, including last weekend’s 41-13 win over Purdue.

Those big wins down the stretch have led to conference titles and College Football Playoff berths. If U-M makes the CFP again this season, it will join Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma as programs to earn three straight appearances.

By the numbers: Michigan vs. Penn State

2 Yards before contact for the Michigan rushing attack this season, compared to 2.8 last season. The Wolverines have taken a step back with their run game production in 2023, averaging 167.1 yards per game (51st nationally) compared to 238.9 a year ago (fifth). However, the offense as a whole has become more efficient, going from a 6.6 yards per play average to 6.8 this season.

3 Big Ten teams rank first (Michigan), second (Ohio State) and third (Penn State) in the country in scoring defense. The Nittany Lions’ stout unit ranks second against the run and 12th against the pass.

3 Previous Michigan-Penn State games with both teams in the AP top 10. The Wolverines are 2-1 in those meetings, winning in 1997 and 2022 and losing in 1994.

3rd Downs will be crucial Saturday. Michigan has been fantastic this season on both sides of the ball, ranking second nationally in conversion rate on offense (55.6 percent) and second on defense at 29.4 percent. Penn State, meanwhile, went 1-for-16 on third down against Ohio State and ranks 44th nationally in conversion rate at 42.2 percent. The Nittany Lion defense has been strong in getting off the field on third, slotting eighth in the country with a 28.7 percent conversion rate allowed.

4th In the Big Ten is where Penn State quarterback Drew Allar ranks with 210.6 passing yards per game. He’s averaging 6.6 yards per attempt (fifth), nearly 4 yards shy of Michigan junior J.J. McCarthy, who paces the conference with 10.4 yards per throw.

5 Penn State edge rushers have double-digit pressures, per PFF — Adisa Isaac (26), Dani Dennis-Sutton (23), Chop Robinson (19), Amin Vanover (14) and Zuriah Fisher (11). Abdul Carter also ranks tied for second among Big Ten inside linebackers with 18 pressures.

7 Remaining undefeated teams in the FBS, with Michigan joining Ohio State, Georgia, Florida State, Washington, James Madison and Liberty at 9-0. U-M is the only team that’s won all of its games by 20 points or more.

16 Rushing touchdowns for Michigan senior running back Blake Corum, leading the nation. All 16 have come on 20 rushes from the opposing 5-yard line and in.

40-Plus points in five straight Big Ten games for Michigan, a school record.

75.7 Completion percentage for McCarthy, ranking third in the sport. McCarthy has been particularly effective on third down, completing 33-of-44 pass attempts (75 percent) for 545 yards with a 209.4 passer rating. In situations of third-and-7-plus yards, McCarthy is 22-of-29 (75.9 percent) for 279 yards with 21 first downs or touchdowns (four).

94th In the country is where Penn State ranks with 5.2 yards per play. The Nittany Lions’ offense has really fallen off during Big Ten play, amassing 5 yards per play or less in five of six clashes.

233 Passing plays called when McCarthy is in the game, compared to 232 runs, according to PFF. The Wolverines said before the season they wanted to be 50-50 run-pass, and they’ve nearly achieved that with the starters in the game.