Penn State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020 season

The Penn State-Michigan game has been a back-and-forth affair for the last four years with each neither program able to pick-up a road win since Michigan’s 2015 victory in State College.

After getting off to an early 21-0 first half lead in 2019, the Wolverines closed got on the scoreboard and entered the half 21-7 before Jim Harbaugh proclaimed in front of a national audience they were soon to see Michigan’s finest hour.

While the Wolverines were able to both drive the ball with ease and limit Penn State from sustaining a productive drive, the Wolverines were unable to make the comeback after letting up a 53-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Hamler and a potential game tying drop by Ronnie Bell in the Penn State end zone.

The Wolverines will be without quarterback Shea Patterson in 2020, but that could be seen as a positive after the Ole Miss transfer failed to live up to expectations under Harbaugh. Josh Gattis‘ (a former Joe Moorhead disciple) offense broke open during the second half of last season’s matchup after a slow start and should turn the page in 2020.

Michigan will need to decide on a quarterback this offseason and Dylan McCaffrey has the dual-threat ability to be the quarterback Michigan needs.

While a potential empty Big House can only work in Penn State’s favor, if Sean Clifford cannot find a big-play threat, Michigan has the talent to take away Pat Freiermuth and slow down Penn State’s high-scoring offense. The return matchup in front of a less ominous crowd could be Penn State’s first chance to get a win in Michigan since 2009, but the Wolverines defense does enough to slow down Clifford and Co.

Record: 4-1, 1-1

For James Franklin’s inability to take down Ohio State or win in Ann Arbor, Penn State football has finally found success over Kirk Ferentz as Franklin owns a 4-0 record against the Hawkeyes. Penn State has struggled in Kinnick Stadium but managed to pull off a 21-19 walk-off win in 2017 and held on for a 17-12 primetime win last October.

With a bye week after the loss to Michigan, Penn State will need to capitalize against Iowa before the Buckeyes come to Happy Valley the next weekend.

The Hawkeyes are always a difficult out and return talent at running back, on the offensive line, and again at defense. The Hawkeyes however will be without offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, A.J. Epenesa, and four year starting quarterback Nate Stanley. Iowa should be able to protect their quarterback but will have to figure out the new play caller and navigate a rocky schedule against Iowa State, Minnesota, Michigan State and Ohio State before heading to central Pennsylvania.

With Iowa currently navigating a tumultuous offseason, a new roster and what may be a slow start, Franklin should get his fifth win in as many years against Ferentz. Iowa will hang around, but will drop their fourth straight at Penn State.

Record: 5-1, 2-1