PSU is #38
Penn State is at #38 in total offense and #38 in total defense heading into this weekend. UM is at #29 in total offense and #5 in total defense, so we hold the advantage on both sides of the ball.
Drilling down a bit, we see that Penn State's defense is #5 in rushing defense to our #7, but #102 in passing yards allowed to our #11.
So, we have both been very good against the run and we both bring an elite running back. Freshman Nicholas Singleton will be tough as he has averaged 7.35 ypc.
Also, PSU has managed turnovers well at a TO margin of +6 through 5 games while we're at +4 through 6.
My keys to the game:
- UM stopping the run first and forcing old man Sean Clifford to make plays.
- They are likely to be stout against the run and try to force JJ to make plays as well. We must be able to pass on them given their performance so far this year.
- Win the TO margin.
October 11th, 2022 at 4:03 PM ^
we have a better team, with better players, lead by a better coach, in a bigger stadium.... with a superior fan base (and lake)....
therefore, we will win.....
Michigan 34 knitting lions 17
October 11th, 2022 at 8:10 PM ^
We must be able to pass on them given their performance so far this year.
FWIW, Penn State’s giving up a lot of passing yardage mostly due to the number of pass attempts against them. When you dive deeper into the efficiency metrics, they actually have a pretty damn good pass defense. For example, they have allowed the third lowest completion percentage nationally (49.6%) and are giving up 5.8 yards per attempt, which is good for 11th in the country.