Michigan Football: Ranking Wolverines’ 2020 opponents by toughness

Penn State and Michigan seem to exchange blows every year and 2020 should be no different. With a game taking place in East Lansing, the Wolverines may have a slight advantage here.

However, returning a dynamic backfield duo, Sean Clifford, one of the best tight ends in the Big Ten in Pat Freiermuth and elite linebacker Micah Parsons makes the Nittany Lions one of the scariest teams in the conference and arguably Ohio State’s top threat in the East.

If Michigan can win this game, the Wolverines will likely be in a good spot before the season finale against Ohio State.

Prior to the College Football Playoff semifinal, Ohio State was 13-0 and dominating just about everyone. Leading Clemson and looking like the better team during most of the Fiesta Bowl, the Buckeyes looked to be headed back to the national title game for the second time in the playoff era, but they fumbled the game away, 29-23.

Ohio State is back under Ryan Day for a second season and it’s more motivated than ever to reach that national title game again. There’s a good chance the Buckeyes will be ranked No. 1 in the country before the season and even when Michigan comes to town on Nov. 28.

The Wolverines have failed to get over this hurdle in the Jim Harbaugh era and basically for the past decade-plus, but will this time be different?

Who knows, but Ohio State is going to be really, really good.