18 (Other) Things to Know About Michigan
Michigan brings a rich volume of drama to Penn State on Saturday for Beaver Stadium's most fascinating game in five years. The Wolverines also bring a really sharp team that leads the Big Ten in 10 statistical categories, including scoring offense and defense and total offense and defense.
What is No. 9 Penn State up against when No. 3 Michigan visits? Here's a look.
1. This is the fourth meeting between Penn State and Michigan as AP Top-10 teams in the Big Ten era. Michigan is 2-1 in the previous three games, winning in 1997 (34-8) and 2022 (41-17) and losing in 1994 (31-24).
2. Michigan is 8-5 against Penn State when both teams are ranked in the AP Top 25. When it's ranked in the top 5, Michigan is 5-1 vs. Penn State.
3. Michigan has won 22 consecutive regular-season games and 21 straight Big Ten games, the longest streak in school history.
4. Michigan is 7-6 at Beaver Stadium, and coach Jim Harbaugh is 2-2 in State College.
5. Michigan is 11-1 in Big Ten road games since the 2021 season.
6. The Wolverines have score 30+ points in a program-record 12 consecutive games. They have scored 40+ points in five consecutive Big Ten games for the first time.
7. Michigan is the only undefeated FBS team to win every game this season by at least 20 points.
8. Michigan allows an FBS-low 6.7 points per game, and no team has scored more than 13 against it this season.
9. Like Penn State, Michigan has not allowed a third-quarter point. The Wolverines have outscored opponents 114-0 in third quarters. Combined, Penn State and Michigan have scored opponents 211-0 in third quarters.
10. Michigan is the nation's least-penalized team (24 penalties for 207 yards). Just one of those penalties was for defensive pass interference.
11. Michigan averages 6.8 yards per play on offense, tops in the Big Ten.
12. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has a 79.8-percent completion rate on first down, with 27 of his completions covering 15+ yards.
13. Michigan has generated 51 plays of 20+ yards this season. Penn State has 24.
14. Receiver Roman Wilson has 36 catches, 10 of which have gone for touchdowns.
15. Michigan has forced 3-and-outs on 38 percent of its defensive possessions (38 of 99).
16. Michigan's defense has not allowed a red-zone passing touchdown this season.
17. Michigan's secondary is outscoring opponents 21-0 in the third quarter. The Wolverines have three third-quarter pick-6s this season.
18. All that said, Michigan's schedule ranks 111th nationally, according to ESPN's College Football Power Index, and six of its opponents rank 70th or below.
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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
