Michigan Football vs. Penn State: 3 Important Takeaways for UM

It is hard to fake 49-10. On Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan football trounced a depleted Penn State squad. The Wolverines did exactly what was asked of them.

Penn State has proven to be porous defensively this year. They gave up over 5 yards a carry to Pittsburgh in a loss in week two. The Nittany Lions were healthier then. Against, Michigan football, they weren’t and the Wolverines made them pay.

Penn State lost its 4th string middle linebacker in the second quarter due to an ejection for targeting. Brandon Smith had three defensive snaps in his career before getting the start against Temple last week.

Jan Johnson was forced to take over. Johnson, who was promoted from the scout team in the last two weeks, got injured shortly after.

With Linebacker U hollowed out and a weak to middling defensive line and secondary, Penn State’s defense is a disaster.

Michigan took advantage. 326 rushing yards on 49 attempts, a majority in the second half, sends a message to Wisconsin for next week. It is the brand of football that demoralizes opponents.

It is reminiscent of UM’s trashing of BYU in week four last year. Michigan used that momentum as a springboard to a hot conference start. The shutout in the Big House of undefeated, and nationally ranked, Northwestern is a script Harbaugh and company would like to repeat next Saturday.

Here are three takeaways from Michigan’s win over Penn State.