Michigan Football: 3 keys to Wolverines beating Penn State

Win the turnover battle

Football is a complicated game. But at the same time, it isn’t.

If you win the turnover battle, you are going to have a good chance to win the game and Saturday in Happy Valley, it’s hard to see the Wolverines winning if they are negative in turnover ratio.

Even might be alright, depending on what the turnovers are if there are any. Yet, the Wolverines can’t put the ball on the ground like they have all season. It’s been a cascade of errors and it has got to stop.

In what could be a positive sign, Patterson didn’t turn the ball over for the first time this season in a game against Illinois, so maybe that will build some confidence. The problem is that Penn State’s defense has been outstanding, while Illinois is, well Illinois.

Outside of Nebraska, no team has turned the ball over more than Michigan football in the Big Ten with 13. Penn State has six. Yet, the PSU defense has forced 12 turnovers, which is fourth in the Big Ten.

The defense has to keep making big plays, meaning sacks and turnovers. Sacking the quarterback 4-5 times and forcing a couple of turnovers as a recipe for success and it’s doable.

It will be up to the offense to do its part.