Michigan Football: 3 Things to watch for Wolverines vs Penn State

Plenty at stake, especially for recruiting

A second consecutive win could help silence some of the critics surrounding Jim Harbaugh, which actually could help the Wolverines on the recruiting trail.

Like it or not, a coaching change isn’t going to help the 2021 class and even though it’s already pretty late in the process, the Wolverines are still hoping to win some key battles.

A win helps prevent the narrative that the wheels are falling off and that Harbaugh will soon be replaced, which is something other programs have surely been selling. It would also help create positive momentum against a program that has four of the top 10 payers in the state of Michigan committed in 2021.

The Nittany Lions have made real in roads in the state of Michigan, especially in the Detroit area and beating them while they are down could help with that.

Another recruit could be watching this game closely and that’s four-star defensive tackle George Rooks, who is one of the Wolverines top targets left in the 2021 class.

U-M hasn’t landed a defensive tackle yet and Rooks is the highest-ranked guy they have a legit shot at getting. But his decision seems down to Michigan, Penn State, Boston College and Pitt, with U-M and PSU viewed as the favorites.

An impressive showing for the Wolverines could help them close as they have been the crystal ball leader for Rooks dating back to the summer.

So even though the game may not seem important, a win for the Wolverines is critical.