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Penn State blown out by Michigan: Instant Analysis

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•10/15/22•

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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 15: Mazi Smith #58 of the Michigan Wolverines attempts to tackle Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half of a college football game at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Penn State football was manhandled by Michigan 41-17 on the road in Ann Arbor in a beatdown that most fans and media didn’t see coming. Blue White Illustrated’s team on the ground in Michigan recaps the game and what they saw live.

Nittany Lions lacked physicality to play with Michigan

Blue White Illustrated publisher Sean Fitz describes the game as a beatdown to start the video and explains what he heard postgame from the players and coaches about the Nittany Lions’ performance on Saturday.

Next, reporter Greg Pickel asks Bauer about a comment that Penn State head coach James Franklin made during his postgame press conference about the team being too small and too light. Bauer and Pickel discuss that topic and if Penn State can somehow improve that factor in the future.

Next, Bauer discusses the Penn State offense’s struggles and how amazed he was that they were in the game despite having so few plays in the first half. Next, Pickel points to the defense for not getting off the field and how they couldn’t get Michigan off-schedule. Finally, he and Fitz discuss Michigan’s ability to stay on schedule and convert third and short. Next, Fitz discusses the linebacker’s role in the blowout and how that unit played poorly on Saturday. He discussed comments from Jonathan Sutherland on the matter to underscore that point.

Lastly, Bauer discusses Penn State fan fears about the Nittany Lions and how they were shown on Saturday. Finally, they look ahead to Minnesota to close out their analysis.

Penn State-Michigan takeaways: Lions not ready for ‘big-boy ball’ in blowout at Michigan

Ann Arbor, Mich. — Penn State came to Michigan hoping to upset the No. 5 Wolverines. Instead, it left after a performance that indicated it is not yet one of college football’s top-10 teams.

The Lions will fall in the polls after being gashed over and over here at a full Michigan Stadium. They had few answers on offense and were gashed on defense throughout a 41-17 setback that marked their first loss of the season.

Everything Penn State coach James Franklin said following 41-17 loss to Michigan

Here are our initial takeaways.

1. Penn State was not ready for ‘big-boy ball’

Penn State head coach James Franklin set the tone for this game on Wednesday during his final chat with reporters before kickoff.

“This is going to be a physical game,” Franklin said. “This is going to be big-boy ball on both sides of the ball. We understand what we’re getting into.

“Again, we got a ton of respect for these guys. And you know what: We’ll find out on Saturday. But, we’ve practiced that way. And, I think for the most part this year, we played that way. We’re going to have to do it on Saturday.”

The Lions may have understood what they were getting into. But, they certainly were not ready for it.

Get the rest of Pickel’s analysis here.

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