Michigan Football: 5 Predictions for Wolverines against Penn State

Michigan football will play host to Penn State on Saturday and here are five predictions for the Wolverines and Nittany Lions.

Going into the season, the idea that Michigan football and Penn State would have a combined 2-8 record leading up to their contest Saturday would be hard to believe.

But that’s where we stand as the Nittany Lions are set to invade the Big House in a game that both teams and head coaches need to win.

James Franklin isn’t going anywhere, even if he doesn’t win a game this season. He has too much good will and too big a buyout, which probably can be said about Harbaugh too.

But if the Wolverines win this game and beat Maryland at home next Saturday, Jim won’t be going anywhere, as much as some fans want him to. That would be good for recruiting and could help the Wolverines land some elite prospects in the class of 2022.

However, with a loss to Penn State Saturday, the wheels could fall off. Michigan football got some momentum last weekend against Rutgers and the Wolverines need to continue it.

And with a look ahead at this matchup, here are five predictions for the Wolverines, starting with what we’ll see at quarterback.

Cade McNamara starts and finishes

Head coach Jim Harbaugh hasn’t announced Cade McNamara as the starting quarterback, but he’s going to be the guy, as even corner Vincent Gray let slip to the media that McNamara will start.

But that wasn’t a surprise. Everyone knows McNamara is going to start and after throwing for 260 yards and accounting for five touchdowns in a come-from-behind win, he should. The question is how will Cade do?

Penn State might be 0-5, but the Nittany Lions aren’t a pushover defensively, despite the fact they are tied with Michigan for the second-most points allowed per game at 36.

Turnovers have been a huge issue for Penn State. But on defense, its ranked in the top five in the Big Ten in passing yards allowed, rushing yards allowed and total yards allowed.

The Penn State pass rush is also solid, so getting back Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes on the offensive line would help. Yet, the thing about McNamara is that he’s accurate, makes quick decisions and gets the ball out to playmakers.

I’d expect him to do the same thing this week. I don’t think he will throw four touchdown passes or put up eye-popping numbers, but he will be solid and he will throw multiple TDs. He also won’t take a step back in his start and he will lock down the job for the rest of the year.