No. 16 Michigan (5-1) travels to No. 7 Penn State (6-0) for a “White Out” in a primetime Big Ten matchup at 7:30 p.m. ET at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. The game will be nationally televised by ABC.;
Michigan will look to win a top-10 showdown under fifth-year coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines are 1-9 in that situation under Harbaugh, and a stop-and-start offense with new coordinator Josh Gattis and quarterback Shea Patterson will have to be better against a heavy Penn State pass rush.;
Penn State has a lot on this one too. It’s the second straight game against ranked opponent and another chance, and it’s a chance for Sean Clifford to show improvement after a tough outing against Iowa. This is a big game for Nittany Lions coach James Franklin, too.
MORE: Get the latest NCAA odds & betting advice at Sportsbook Review
These teams have traded blowouts the last three years. Will this one be close?
With that in mind, here’s everything you need for Saturday’s matchup between the Wolverines and Nittany Lions:
Michigan vs. Penn State odds
Spread: Penn State -8.5
Point total: 45
Moneyline: Michigan -110, Penn State-110
Penn State is an 8.5-point favorite, according to odds at Sportsbook Review, and 56 percent of the wagering has come in favor of the Nittany Lions at this point.
Michigan vs. Penn State all-time series
Michigan leads the all-time series 14-8, and the Wolverines are 6-4 when both teams are ranked.
Three trends to know
— Michigan is 1-6 against ranked teams on the road under Harbaugh, and that includes a 42-13 loss at Penn State in 2017.
— Penn State is 1-4 against Michigan straight up under Franklin. The Nittany Lions’ four losses in that stretch are by an average of 22.8 points per game.
— The Wolverines are 1-4 against the spread as a road underdog under Harbaugh. Penn State is 19-12-2 against the spread as a home favorite under Franklin.
WEEK 8 PICKS: Straight up | Against the spread
Three things to watch
Clifford vs. Patterson
Sean Clifford has been solid this season, but against Pitt and Iowa he combined for one touchdown and finished 26 of 54 (48.1 percent) for an average of 169.5 yards per game. Michigan’s defense is better — and more aggressive — than both. Shea Patterson, meanwhile, has a 46.3 completion percentage in Big Ten road games this season. He has struggled with accuracy, and top target Nico Collins did not play last week. Patterson has to outplay Clifford for the Wolverines to have a chance here.
Who establishes a run?
Michigan has allowed 122.8 yards per game on the ground, which is high for a Don Brown unit. Running back Noah Cain enjoyed back-to-back 100-yard games for the Nittany Lions the last two week and has established himself as a playmaker. He could be in line for 20 more carries. Michigan will likely use the committee approach with Zach Charbonnet, Tru Wilson, Christian Turner, but don’t be surprised if Hassan Haskins has the most carries in this game against a tough Penn State defense that has allowed just 53.8 yards per game.
Can Michigan handle it?
Harbaugh is 1-9 against top-10 teams since taking over at Michigan, and that puts a lot of pressure on the Wolverines to beat a quality team on the road. Michigan did not handle that stage well against Wisconsin and couldn’t put four quarters together at Illinois last week, despite a 42-25 victory. The winning team the last three seasons has racked up 474.7 yards while holding the losing team to 215.3 yards per game. That difference is stark, and the homefield advantage has created a snowball effect in this series. It’s on Michigan to withstand that on the road this time, and it won’t be easy for the 10th-ranked offense in the Big Ten.
WEEK 8 PROJECTIONS: Bowls | Playoff
Stat that matters
Penn State has outscored opponents 69-3 in the first quarter. If they jump out on the Wolverines early, the “Whit Out” effect could take over like it did in 2017. The Wolverines have outscored opponents 55-28 in the first quarter. That’s not bad, but a good first quarter is essential for the Wolverines — especially after the disaster at Wisconsin.
Michigan vs. Penn State prediction
Michigan’s defense is a difference-maker early in the game, and the Wolverines absorb Penn State’s emotional start. MIchigan,which has lost nine of 17 fumbles this season, must take care of the football. Clifford settles in by the second half, and Cain wears down the Michigan front. The Wolverines have a chance to win late, but the Nittany Lions come up with the game-clinching turnover in a fantastic Big Ten game.
Penn State 24, Michigan 20
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