5 predictions for Michigan football against Penn State
![Nov 4, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Nov 4, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/6e16fab60a2e8cdc8063f38d5ff44761bc03e737744948dcbc2e7392cc03ca69.jpg)
J.J. McCarthy wins the QB battle
Both pass defenses are stellar too. Michigan football leads the Big Ten in the fewest passing yards allowed per game (141.3). The Wolverines have allowed just four touchdowns this season and passers are getting just 5.1 yards per attempt.
That’s not a great proposition for Drew Allar who struggled mightily against Ohio State. He’s been solid though with 20 touchdown passes and just one interception. Allar doesn’t make mistakes, sort of like McCarthy last season.
However, if the Penn State running game struggles to get going, it will put a lot of pressure on Allar and Penn State is among the worst teams in the country at creating explosive plays in the passing game.
McCarthy has been exceptional in that regard and he’s got tons of weapons — Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson, Colston Loveland, A.J. Barner, Donovan Edwards, and more with guys like Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan emerging.
The Nittany Lions might take some of those weapons away, but McCarthy’s top five targets are all future NFL players — Wilson, Johnson, Barner, Edwards, and Loveland — and he’ll put together a Heisman-type performance together.
McCarthy will also use his legs more and my guess is that he will run for a touchdown while throwing for at least one too.