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

3. Shea Patterson turns it over

I didn’t want to put a number on the times he’ll turn it over in this game, but Shea Patterson has had at least one turnover in every game this season except for Illinois — his fumble was recovered by the offense. He has not fully acclimated himself to the offense and looks confused at times when looking to pass. This is bad news when facing a defense that had 27 sacks and five interceptions.

To make matters worse for Patterson, the offensive line hasn’t blocked well for the Wolverines this season, and the Penn State pass rush will get after Patterson especially if Michigan isn’t able to run the ball or have to throw because it is behind — two things that wouldn’t be a surprise.

The irony of Shea being so turnover prone is many of his turnovers aren’t forced. He’s fumbled snaps or made bad reads and thrown into coverage. Couple that with a defense that will pressure him and that’s a recipe for disaster. His issues with turnovers go back to his freshman year at Ole Miss. He’s always had a tendency not to take care of the ball, and he’s facing a defense in Penn State looking to take the ball from him.