Michigan Football: 6 things we learned from Wolverines rout of Penn State

Michigan football dominated Penn State in a battle of undefeated teams, sending a message to the rest of college football in the process. Here’s what we learned. 

Through the first five games of the 2022 season, Penn State allowed 396 rushing yards. On Saturday, in a 41-17 loss to Michigan football, the Nittany Lions allowed 418 to the Wolverines, who ran roughshod over their top-10 opponent.

Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards both had over 160 yards rushing and each had 60-yard touchdown runs in the third quarter that broke the will of Penn State.

This game reminded me of Michigan football’s 42-27 win over Ohio State last November, only the defense stoned Penn State in the second half and made sure it turned into a one-sided affair.

Frankly, without a few breaks and one busted assignment that allowed the long run by Sean Clifford, Michigan could have won this by 40. That’s how dominant the Wolverines were and here are five things we learned from a top-10 win for Jim Harbaugh.

The best offensive line in the country

Before the season, I predicted that the offensive line was going to be better and now that the front five has gelled, it sure looks that way.

Even without starting tackle Trent Jones, Michigan football owned the Nittany Lions, just like they did in 2018 when Penn State came to Ann Arbor for a ranked showdown.

This was even worse though. The 67-yard touchdown run by Donovan Edwards changed the game and was the kind of play we’ve been waiting for. Corum’s 61-yarder was a Heisman moment.

But the fact that Jim Harbaugh and the staff were able to put the game on the O-line after a shaky first half from J.J. McCarthy is a tremendous luxury.

Man ball is alive and well in Ann Arbor and any team that wants to win the Big Ten championship will need to find a way to stop a running attack that through seven games, appears unstoppable.