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Big Ten football: Comparing Michigan, Penn State ahead of top-10 battle

By Christopher Mangum

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Arnold Ebiketie #17 of the Penn State Nittany Lions causes Cade McNamara #12 of the Michigan Wolverines to fumble the ball during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 13, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Arnold Ebiketie #17 of the Penn State Nittany Lions causes Cade McNamara #12 of the Michigan Wolverines to fumble the ball during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 13, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the offense against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during first-half action at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.Mich2
Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the offense against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during first-half action at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.Mich2 /

Michigan’s offense

The Wolverines’ offense has more potential than it has shown so far this season. Some expect Michigan to open up the playbook more against Penn State, while others think the Wolverines are over-hyped. We shall see this weekend who is correct, but for right now let’s take a look at what Michigan has to offer.

Michigan has a new man under center this season: JJ McCarthy. McCarthy has been the talk of the town in Ann Arbor since his commitment and is said to be the next great Michigan football player. He was a five-star out of high school (IMG) and is now a sophomore at the University of Michigan. The Wolverines need McCarthy to play a stellar game this weekend to beat a strong Penn State defense, though the young quarterback has never been tested like this before.

As far as pass-catchers go, Michigan is doing well in that department as well. Ronnie Bell, Cornelius Johnson, and Roman Wilson are all having great seasons at wideout, as well as tight end Luke Schoonmaker. Andrel Anthony and AJ Henning are also threats to opposing secondaries.

The Wolverines’ receiving corps should be in for a great test against Penn State’s secondary, which is one of the best in the sport.

Michigan’s real strength lies in its offensive line and run game. The Wolverines’ O-line has always performed well during the Harbaugh era, but 2021 and 2022 have been special in their own right. Blake Corum, Michigan’s star running back, is in the Heisman discussion right now; however, if anyone can stop him it would be Penn State.

I am excited to see the matchup of Michigan’s O-line against Penn State’s D-line, which will tell us a lot about both teams. Like any Big Ten football game, this game will be decided in the trenches.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

  • JJ McCarthy (QB)
  • Blake Corum (RB)
  • Ronnie Bell (WR)

KEY STATS:

  • Blake Corum currently has 735 yards and 11 touchdowns through six games. The junior also averages over six yards per carry on over 100 carries. He has rushed for over 120 yards in all three of Michigan’s conference games.
  • JJ McCarthy has over 1,100 yards passing despite not starting week 1. He also completes nearly 80 percent of his passes and has thrown nine touchdowns to one interception.
  • The Wolverines have over 1,200 yards on the ground and 31 total offensive touchdowns this season (20 rushing, 11 passing).
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