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Penn State football vs. Michigan: 3 bold predictions in Week 8

By Andrew Miller

BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 14: Jim Harbaugh the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines watches the action during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 14: Jim Harbaugh the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines watches the action during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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One of the biggest matchups, in terms of national implications, in Week 8 is Penn State football vs. Michigan, in a matchup that could determine the Big 10 East.

The No. 2 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions and No. 19 ranked Michigan Wolverines are headed in different directions right now. Penn State is right in the thick of the College Football Playoff race, but have not faced much stiff competition yet.

Meanwhile, Michigan could not get it done on offense when it dropped a huge matchup with in-state rival Michigan State Spartans. The Wolverines responded with a 27-20 overtime win over the Indiana Hoosiers. Michigan’s offense struggled again in that one.

The Big Ten East is going to be a tough division to win moving forward. Michigan is motivated to stay alive as another loss would completely eliminate them from Playoff contention and likely the Big Ten Title race. Penn State needs to prove it can win on the big stage.

Likely the toughest opponents that the Nittany Lions have faced yet are the Northwestern Wildcats and Iowa Hawkeyes. Neither are even close to being a top-25 caliber team this year. However, Penn State does pass the eye test so far.

Penn State enters this contest as a 9.5-point favorite at home at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions have looked much better at home than on the road. Northwestern and Iowa both gave Penn State very tough tests, at least for a portion of both games.

Yet, seemingly every team Michigan has faced has resulted in a close game, no matter how good the opponent was. Michigan’s passing game has been nonexistent, especially since quarterback Wilton Speight has missed time due to injury.

Now, let’s take a look at three bold predictions for the Michigan Wolverines vs. Penn State Nittany Lions in Week 8.

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