3 Keys for Michigan Football against Penn State

In their biggest test to date this season, will Michigan football hold up at home against a fierce Penn State squad?

Penn State enters Ann Arbor 5-0, seeking revenge after letting one slip away last season against Michigan football in Happy Valley.

Led on offense by sixth-year, redshirt senior+ quarterback, Sean Clifford, the Nittany Lions appear to be much more of a balanced attack this year than in previous seasons where they featured a strong commitment to the passing game. True freshman running back Nick Singleton has a stranglehold on the backfield, seizing the bell-cow responsibilities from week one.

Singleton looks every bit the part of a future superstar, averaging 92.6 yards per game, 7.3 yards per attempt, and already through five weeks, has 5tds to his name.

Their defense, on the other hand, led by first-year defensive coordinator, Manny Diaz is the true question mark in this game. Diaz runs an aggressive defense that seeks to create turnovers, and make big plays, but is also susceptible to the home run hit.

With all that being said, the Wolverines will have their hands full on Saturday against a very good Nittany Lion squad that’ll be their best test to date.

What are Michigan football’s keys to winning this game?

Let’s dive in.

Make Sean Clifford beat you

Young Penn State fans haven’t been alive long enough to remember Sean Clifford as a freshman. In his sixth season in Happy Valley — and his fourth as the starter — Clifford is essentially the same quarterback Michigan football fans have seen since 2018.

Clifford is a streaky player, who at his best, likely isn’t winning a big game by himself but can certainly make some big plays.

At his worst, however, he is someone who can stall the offense almost single handily, missing open receivers, making the wrong read, or deciding to use his legs when he should just check the ball down or throw it away.

Michigan can’t afford to let future superstar running back Nick Singleton win this game and put the Nittany Lions on his back, because he’s got the talent to do that.

If they get after Clifford, force him into making errors, and make him make the play to win the game, Michigan football likely comes away the win.