What Penn State coach James Franklin said about Michigan football before top-10 showdown

No. 5 Michigan Wolverines football will host undefeated and 10th-ranked Penn State Saturday at The Big House, the first top-10 matchup in the venue since last year’s 42-27 U-M win over Ohio State Nov. 27. Penn State coach James Franklin is 3-5 against Michigan and looking to improve on that mark Saturday. Franklin is 2-5 at PSU when coming off a bye, with his team having been off last weekend.

“Got a ton of respect for [Michigan head] Coach [Jim] Harbaugh, for the university, for the program, for the venue,” Franklin said Tuesday. “And obviously, they’ve got a lot of things planned for the game as well, so should be a great atmosphere. I know our guys are looking forward to it and preparing for it. This is why you come to a place like Penn State — to play in these types of games.”

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The Michigan offense has produced 43 points per game but only 30.7 points per outing in three Big Ten games. Franklin has been impressed with the Wolverines’ strong run game, which generates 212.3 yards per contest (20th in the nation) and efficient pass game. Michigan sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy has the country’s highest completion percentage (78.3) and leads a group that averages 246.3 passing yards per game and 9.1 yards per attempt.

“I’ve got a ton of respect for what they’re doing, how they’re doing it,” Franklin said. “Extremely efficient. I think they do a great job of staying on schedule. First down is obviously a huge factor for them in their offense, and it’s going to be a challenge. They’re able to run it, they’re able to throw it.

“Obviously, their offensive line was considered to be the best offensive line in all of college football last year. On top of that, they’ve got maybe the most productive back in college football over the last couple years. They’ve got wide receivers that can make plays, tight ends that make plays and a young and talented quarterback who’s leading the nation in completion percentage.

“We know all about [Michigan junior running back] Blake Corum, not only from what he’s done at Michigan, but also right down the street here. He played his high school ball in the Baltimore, Maryland, area. [Graduate wide receiver] Ronnie Bell has been doing it for a while and been successful for a while at wide receiver there. J.J. McCarthy is obviously the new face, but extremely talented. 

“They’re similar to us, got a deep and talented tight end room. And although they’ve had some injuries there, No. 86 — [graduate tight end Luke] Schoonmaker — is playing really well for them.”

James Franklin feels Penn State better equipped to handle Michigan pass rush

Michigan pressured Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford on 41.8 percent of his drop-backs last season and sacked him 7 times. He was under constant duress during the entirety of the 21-17 loss to the Maize and Blue, taking several big shots that left him slow to get up.

The Wolverines lost their top two pass rushers — Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo — and have seen their pass-rush production take a step back. They’ve made strides, though, over the last game and a half, with 11 sacks in the last six quarters of play (second half at Iowa and entire game against Indiana).

“The thing that’s maybe — I don’t know if surprising is the right term, but with the departures of their two defensive ends last year that were so well thought of, for them to be able to pressure the quarterback and sack the quarterback at the rate they’ve been able to do it after losing those guys has been impressive,” Franklin noted.

Penn State’s offensive line has taken a step forward this year, allowing 1.4 sacks per game compared to a mark of 2.6 last season.

Franklin believes his squad is built to better limit Michigan’s pass rush this time around, even in a hostile environment that will be a maized-out Big House.

“I think we’re better equipped,” Franklin said. “But I also think they’ve done a good job of making people one-dimensional, so then you’re getting in maybe not obvious passing downs, but maybe situations where people … and I don’t know if the score has always mandated that — some of their games, it has — but people have gotten away from the run game because they’ve gotten down by too many points. Whenever you’re up by a certain margin, then you’re going to get more passing opportunities, which also gives you more opportunities to rush the quarterback and pin your ears back. So, that plays a factor into it, how the score goes.

“Very similar to their offense and how they’ve been able to manage their offense over the last couple of years and be able to stay on schedule. If you’re in third-and-short situations or getting a bunch of yards on first down, it helps manage that for their offense and for their defense in what they’re trying to do. 

“I think we’re better equipped to do it from a personnel standpoint, but I also think we’re better equipped to do it in terms of not getting away from the run and being one-dimensional, kind of sticking with the plan.”

James Franklin discusses Michigan defense, special teams

Besides just the pass rush, Franklin knows Saturday will be a challenge for his offense. Michigan ranks fifth nationally in scoring defense, yielding only 11.3 points per game, and as Franklin mentioned, U-M has been great at stopping the run, allowing 81.7 rushing yards per contest.

“On the defensive side of the ball, Jesse Minter, who I’ve known for a long time, comes from a football family,” Franklin said. “I’ve known his dad for a long time as well. Another guy that spent time with the Ravens. Last year, he was at Vanderbilt, and now is at Michigan as the defensive coordinator. 

“Also, got a situation there, when you look at what they’re able to do defensively, it starts up front with [senior nose tackle] Mazi Smith, who’s a guy that we recruited extremely hard, that kind of anchors their defense. Their middle linebacker, No. 25 [sophomore Junior Colson], we’re really impressed with the production. [Senior] Mike Morris at defensive end is playing at a high level. And then their corner, [senior] DJ Turner.

“It’ll be a challenge. Multiple fronts, top-talented secondary, as well. They do a really good job scheme-wise of putting their players in really good positions to be successful.”

Michigan has the fourth-most efficient special teams unit in the country, per Football Outsiders, and may have the edge in the third phase. Penn State has a solid group itself, slotting 22nd.

“On special teams, again, consistency. Jay Harbaugh running special teams, has moved over to the defensive side of the ball this year, was tight ends last year. He’s doing a nice job. They have pretty good personnel, as well.

“Obviously, [junior] A.J. Henning is a young man that we recruited really heavily — that’s their punt returner and kick returner, been successful. Their kicker, [graduate] Jake Moody, and their punter, [graduate] Brad Robbins, are all playing at a really high level. Their punter is punting as well as any punter in the country tight now. 

“Really, in all three units, you’re going to have to be prepared and ready to play. We’re going to have to deal with their personnel, we’re going to have to deal with their scheme and we’re going to have to deal with their venue. Looking forward to the opportunity.”