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Michigan football: who will be the ‘X-Factor’ against Penn State?

By Christopher Mangum

BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 08: Blake Corum #2 takes the hand off from J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on October 8, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 08: Blake Corum #2 takes the hand off from J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on October 8, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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No. 5 Michigan football is set to host No. 10 Penn State this weekend in a highly-anticipated Big Ten showdown. Both Michigan and Penn State are extremely talented on both sides of the ball, but who will be the “X-factor” for the Wolverines?

Who is the X-factor?

The Wolverines have a lot of talent, so there are plenty of options to choose from when looking for an X-factor. Michigan’s offensive line is one of the best units in the nation, and it boasts wide out talent like Ronnie Bell and tight ends such as Luke Schoonmaker.

On defense Michigan’s RJ Moten, Junior Colson, and Mike Morris are all turning heads nationally. The Wolverines’ defense will absolutely be important against Penn State, but it does not have a singular X-factor for this game. Michigan’s young five star QB — JJ McCarthy — will also be essential, but is also not it.

The X-factor against Penn State will be Blake Corum. Courm’s 735 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns have him in the Heisman race this season, and behind Michigan’s great O-line could have a game this weekend. So far Corum has gone for over 120 yards on every Big Ten opponent this season, and if he can do it against Penn State (one of the best run defenses in the nation) not many teams have a chance of stopping him.

Why Blake Corum?

Corum is a special player, but why will he be the deciding factor? It is because Michigan needs the running game badly. Yes, JJ McCarthy and the Wolverines’ receivers are talented; however, Jim Harbaugh has always emphasized the run game at Michigan and will try to run the ball on Penn State no matter what.

The Wolverines rely heavily on production from Corum and have all season. Last year it was much of the same, too — Michigan handed the ball to Hassan Haskins as much as possible to help former QB Cade McNamara.

McCarthy having a run game will help with his play action and likely give him more time and reads. The Penn State defense has one of the best secondaries in the country — the best in the Big Ten — so helping JJ is crucial.

Can Corum go off?

The short answer is yes, though it will be tough. Penn State is likely the best defense Michigan will play until Ohio State, so it’s time to see how good this team really is. I figured Iowa would slow Michigan football down more than they did, and did not think Corum would go off for 124 yards and a touchdown in that game, so I think there’s a good chance Corum has another big game this weekend.

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