Michigan Football: 5 Predictions for Wolverines against Penn State

Shea Patterson avoids a turnover again

When it comes down to it, this might be the biggest key of the game for the Michigan offense. Shea Patterson is going to have to make some plays, with his arm and his legs to win the game.

But the one thing he cannot do is turn the football over. One time Michigan football might be able to get away with, depending on if the defense can take the ball away a couple of times, but the Wolverines can’t have any more fumbles or interceptions.

Last week, Patterson didn’t turn the ball over and while he wasn’t great by any means, it was enough to win the game. This week, the Wolverines need to rely on the run again, get Patterson on the move and get him in positive situations.

This offense has struggled in third-and-long and when it gets behind the chains. What Harbaugh and Gattis seem to have realized is that this offense isn’t capable of carrying the team to a win. At least Patterson isn’t.

So now it’s about relying on the defense and picking spots to strike with big plays. If they follow that same formula for the past few weeks, it could work but not if Shea has turnover issues again.