What they're saying about Michigan football ahead of top-10 clash with Penn State
No. 5 Michigan Wolverines football is set to host No. 10 Penn State Saturday afternoon at The Big House. Here’s a look around the internet at what they’re saying before kickoff, starting with final score predictions from media members.
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Media members predict outcome of Wolverines vs. Nittany Lions
Chris Balas: Michigan 27, Penn State 18
John Borton: Michigan 27, Penn State 20
Clayton Sayfie: Michigan 24, Penn State 20
Anthony Broome: Michigan 38, Penn State 24
Doug Skene: Michigan 27, Penn State 21
Isaiah Hole: Michigan 24, Penn State 17
Trent Knoop: Michigan 27, Penn State 17
Bill Bender: Michigan 31, Penn State 23
Bruce Feldman: Michigan 21, Penn State 17
Stewart Mandel: Michigan 27, Penn State 19
Brody Miller: Michigan -7
Austin Mock: Penn State +7
Dan Santaromita: Penn State +7
Ari Wasserman: Michigan -7
Ryan Zuke: Michigan 27, Penn State 24
Andrew Kahn: Michigan 33, Penn State 24
Aaron McMann: Michigan 24, Penn State 21
Matt Charboneau: Michigan 24, Penn State 21
Angelique S. Chengelis: Michigan 24, Penn State 14
John Niyo: Michigan 30, Penn State 24
Bob Wojnowski: Michigan 24, Penn State 13
Tony Garcia: Michigan 23, Penn State 16
Carlos Monarrez: Michigan 38, Penn State 28
Rainer Sabin: Michigan 28, Penn State 23
Jeff Seidel: Michigan 27, Penn State 24
Shawn Windsor: Michigan 26, Penn State 23
Adam Rittenberg, ESPN.com: Why quarterback J.J. McCarthy raises Michigan’s College Football Playoff ceiling
“[J.J. McCarthy]’s special,” a Big Ten coach said. “He’ll make a mistake or two because he’s young, but he’s so athletic. He does everything they did before, just better.”
On Sept. 10, McCarthy completed 11 of 12 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start against Hawai’i, a performance Harbaugh called “near flawless.” But Michigan has generally brought him along gradually, relying on star running back Blake Corum (735 rush yards, 11 touchdowns) and a talented offensive line.
“The Corum kid is a stud, [Donovan] Edwards is lightning fast, and the O-line’s the best it’s been for a while,” a Big Ten coach said. “Because they’re so good in the run game, [McCarthy] doesn’t have to carry them.”
Coaches say Michigan’s passing scheme has been designed to ease McCarthy into the role.
“They get into a lot of stacks and bunches and stuff like that, rub routes, pick routes, working all of those to create some easy throws for him,” a Big Ten defensive coordinator said. “He does a good job. He’s just not a great thrower yet.”
Bob Wojnowski, The Detroit News: Wojo’s Pigskin Picks: Wolverines finally get a chance to show who they really are
Finally, a Big Ten game worth dissecting. As much as everyone enjoyed in-depth breakdowns of Michigan-Indiana, Michigan State-Maryland and Iowa-Anybody, this is what college football is all about. No, it’s not about gigantic contracts and visually-impaired replay officials. It’s about classic showdowns between haughty national powers who annoy everybody else.
It’s Michigan-Penn State, time to find out who’s better and who’s blander. When these undefeated, top-10-ranked squads clash Saturday in the Big House, the country will get to witness the first compelling Big Ten game all season. It’s not the Wolverines’ and Nittany Lions’ fault the conference keeps trotting out sloppy posers. I mean, you can’t put Michigan-Penn State, Michigan-Ohio State and Ohio State-Penn State on the Fox High Nooner showcase broadcast every week, can you?
They would if they could. Fox is back in the Big House Saturday, shadowing Michigan for the fourth consecutive week. I’m not saying Joel Klatt has spent a lot of time in Ann Arbor. I’m just saying his name appears on the ballot for Ann Arbor city council and he has his own signature sandwich at Zingerman’s.
Bill Bender, The Sporting News: Michigan vs. Penn State: Uneasy Big Ten twins enjoy top-10 stage again
These programs aren’t just uneasy siblings who were introduced when Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993. When looking at the last 30 years – especially the College Football Playoff era – they are more like twins. Identical twins, even.
Look at the overall record since 1993. Michigan is 251-114; one game better than Penn State at 250-115. The Nittany Lions and Wolverines have maintained similar records through the years, too.
Saturday’s matchup is the first time this rivalry feels like the opening phase from 1993-97.
| Period | Michigan | Penn State |
| 1993-present | 251-114 | 250-115 |
| 2003-present | 159-83 | 161-82 |
| 2014-present | 72-31 | 72-34 |
No. 3 Penn State beat No. 5 Michigan 31-24 at the Big House on Oct. 15, 1994. The Nittany Lions finished 12-0. No. 4 Michigan beat No. 2 Penn State 34-8 on Nov. 8, 1997, and that team won the AP national championship with a 12-0 record. Michigan will honor that team on its 25th-year anniversary this weekend — which Franklin referenced in his press conference.
Franklin and Harbaugh aren’t that different either. They have polarizing personalities. They were hired with the intent to reach that national championship standard. They have been on and off the hot seat and linked to other jobs depending on the year. They have one Big Ten championship apiece in the College Football Playoff era.
Harbaugh has a 4-3 advantage in the head-to-head series, and this is the first top-10 matchup between the coaches.
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Seth Walder, ESPN.com: How the College Football Playoff will be impacted by Week 7’s key games
Penn State’s playoff chances with win: 15%
Penn State’s playoff chances with loss: 2%
Michigan’s playoff chances with win: 47%
Michigan’s playoff chances with loss: 12%
Michigan’s biggest test will come on Nov. 26 in Columbus. Do the Wolverines need to win against Ohio State to reach the CFP? The answer to that question is definitely yes if they lose to Penn State on Saturday, but only maybe if Michigan beats the Nittany Lions. A scenario where Michigan wins against Penn State, then wins out until a loss at Ohio State and misses the Big Ten championship game still yields a 48% shot at a berth. Not bad! Additionally, if Michigan wins out until the Big Ten championship game but then loses there, it has a 70% shot at the CFP.
All of those options are wiped away with a loss to Penn State: Michigan would have to win out after that. Losing to Penn State also opens the door to a world where Michigan beats Ohio State but does not win the Big Ten East.
Penn State is in a somewhat similar — but worse — boat. It can beat Michigan, lose to Ohio State and then not reach the Big Ten championship game and still reach the CFP — but it would only have a 31% chance to do so in that scenario. The difference? FPI believes Michigan is roughly a touchdown better than Penn State in terms of team quality, though this is somewhat mitigated by Penn State’s more difficult schedule (23rd most difficult in FBS to Michigan’s 39th).
Tom Fornelli, CBSSports.com: College football picks, schedule: Predictions against the spread, odds for top 25 games in Week 7
While I can’t be sure what I know about either of these teams just yet, my inkling is that the defenses remain stronger than the offenses. The Michigan offense has been too reliant on Blake Corum for big plays in recent weeks, and Penn State’s improved offensive line hasn’t been tested the same way it will be this week. We’re much more likely to see a lower-scoring game than a high-scoring affair (none of the last four meetings crossed the 50-point mark).
Prediction: Under 51.5
Bruce Feldman, The Athletic: College football picks against the spread: Bruce Feldman’s Week 7 picks
Sean Clifford was shaky in his last time out against Northwestern, and the Wolverines pass rush has heated up (22 sacks). Clifford’s also 0-5 against top-10 opponents. As improved as Penn State has looked this season — and PSU has been really strong on defense — I don’t think the Nittany Lions pull off the big road win.
Michigan 21, Penn State 17
Pick: Penn State +7
Stewart Mandel, The Athletic: College football picks against the spread: Stewart Mandel’s Week 7 picks
I would not bet against Michigan at home, because Michigan rarely loses at home. Removing the 2020 season, when the Big House was empty, Jim Harbaugh’s team has not lost there to anyone besides Ohio State since 2017. The last time Penn State won there with fans in the stands was 2009. So I shall ride with the Wolverines.
Michigan 27, Penn State 19
Pick: Michigan -7
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: 2023 NFL Draft Watch: Best prospects, matchups for weekend’s top-25 showdowns
Most underrated prospect: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan*
Corum has garnered more attention with his hot start, but I don’t know that he is as well-known nationally as he should be. He ranks third in the country in rushing yards (735) and second in rushing touchdowns (11). However, Penn State is allowing only 79.6 rushing yards per game, fifth-best in college football. A ball of energy as a runner, Corum belongs in the conversation as one of the top-five running back prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Most interesting prospect matchup: U-M NT Mazi Smith* vs. Penn State C Juice Scruggs
In most defensive schemes, the nose tackle is more space eater than productive play creator, but Smith has the natural talent to be both. The No. 1 player on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List, Smith is a hard guy to move from his spot, even when facing double teams, and powers through contact to make stops (tied for third on the team with 23 tackles). Smith has been averaging 42.2 defensive snaps per game and doesn’t leave the field for long stretches.
After splitting his time between right guard and center last season, Scruggs has been Penn State’s full-time center in 2022 and has graded very well. He has helped open holes for five-star true freshman running back Nicholas Singleton, who is averaging 7.3 yards per carry. At this point in the process, Scruggs isn’t a lock to be a draft pick, but a strong performance against Smith and the Wolverines would certainly help his chances.
