Isaiah Hole
Best And Worst Case Scenarios For Michigan Against Penn State
Michigan and Penn State are pretty comparable talent wise and that makes this a really tough game on the road for the Wolverines. Turnovers have been a huge issue for Michigan and will be a massive factor in the outcome of tonight's contest. The defense has been good but has also had a few lapses, which simply can't happen in Happy Valley. Most people are expecting Penn State to win, but there are some scenarios that could put Michigan on top.
Best Case
Offense
Senior quarterback Shea Patterson takes care of the ball and does not fumble. He's been better in that area over the last couple of games and continues the trend. After yet another week of criticism, he'll be the most locked in he's been because of the opponent and environment. For the first time all year, Patterson keeps the ball on zone reads at the right times and really becomes a weapon on offense.
The offensive line plays its best games against the most talented front its seen. They move the line of scrimmage downfield and allow the running backs to get going for the first time against a good team.
Freshman Zach Charbonnet and redshirt freshman Hassan Haskins emerge as the clear one-two punch and pile up rushing yards against a good Penn State defense. Both of them find the end zone and establish Michigan's ground game as they return to what worked last year.
Patterson airs it out down the field to his trio+ of talented wide receivers, who should have an advantage against Penn State's smallish defensive backs.
Defense
The defensive line was dominant against Iowa and they have better players than Penn State. That means U-M will have a lot of success against the Nittany Lions. Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford hasn't seen a defensive front like Michigan's and they force him into his worst performance this season. Don Brown also continues to blitz Jordan Glasgow and Cameron McGrone making Clifford's day even tougher. They also do a good job stuffing Penn State's committee of young running backs resulting in a lot of short possessions for the home team.
Freshman Daxton Hill plays a lot and neutralizes Penn State receiver KJ Hamler rendering the Nittany Lion offense pretty much ineffective from an explosive play standpoint. Michigan's star corners, Lavert Hill and Ambry Thomas, do a good enough job on the other receivers making Penn State's offense ineffective overall.
Worst Case
Offense
We see an approach and a game plan that looks like the Iowa and Wisconsin games. Patterson again doesn't look comfortable, sees ghosts and gets antsy when he doesn't need to and misses easy reads. He also refuses to keep the ball on zone reads repeatedly again resulting in stalled drives and short possessions.
As far as the rushing attack goes, it looks like it has looked all year — weird snap counts, no rhythm and no clear-cut leader at the position. Michigan's offensive line struggles to open up holes causing backs to struggle and get frustrated because of their lack of production.
Defense
Michigan's front four and linebackers can't get to the quarterback allowing Clifford, who has proven to be an effective runner, to make plays and put points on the board with his legs. It also causes U-M's backers and safeties to miss assignments downfield allowing Penn State's athletic receivers to make big plays down the field.
The linebackers play out of position and allow Penn State's talented young backs to get it going. Freshmen Noah Cain, Ricky Slade and Devyn Ford, along with junior Journey Brown all bring their best attributes to the field and run wild. That would involve Penn State's offensive line playing its best game against the best defense it has faced. That combined running game, combined with Clifford's ability to run on broken plays and designed reads makes it a long day for U-M's linebackers and secondary players.
How do you see the game playing out? Can Michigan change a few narratives with a big win over Penn State? Comment below!!!
