Previewing Michigan’s Huge Matchup against Penn State

The game will be on J.J. McCarthy’s shoulder

It’s hard to project what the running game will do, but I think it’s fair to assume that Penn State’s stout defense will load the box and stop the run from doing a ton. That’ll put the game on JJ’s shoulders. With how talented he is, that’s a big advantage for Michigan football.

Penn State will struggle to contain Donovan Edwards and the Michigan tight ends. While the Nittany Lions have a good secondary that can likely contain Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson, those three are matchup nightmares that are going to give the Nittany Lions fits.

Given the defensive style that Manny Diaz runs, which is blitz-heavy and man-to-man, Donovan Edwards, Colston Loveland, and AJ Barner will be called on to do a lot. And I think they’ll come through and have huge receiving days.

The X-Factor in this matchup? JJ McCarthy’s legs. Kyle McCord was never a running threat against Penn State. JJ McCarthy is. The Wolverines will break out the read option plenty, and JJ could end up being the Wolverine’s best running threat. I like the Wolverines here.

Advantage? Michigan football.

Conclusion

This is going to be Michigan’s first test of the season. On paper, the Wolverines have advantages across the board. But in Happy Valley, anything can happen. I like Michigan to win by two possessions, but we’ll see. Something to watch will be whether or not Jim Harbaugh is on the sideline, given that the Big Ten wants him out.

Go Blue!