Penn State Football: 3 Bold Predictions for Nittany Lions v. Wolverines

Here are three bold predictions for the showdown between Penn State football and Michigan. 

Saturday’s high noon showdown between the 10th-ranked Penn State state football team and the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines is the definition of a measuring stick game. Neither team has played an arduous schedule. Penn State’s best win is its season-opener against Purdue, while Michigan’s best win is against Iowa though Maryland played them tough.

Suffice it to say that Saturday’s game will be the toughest competition either team has faced. The results of the game will mean one of three things. Either one team is vastly overrated, they are evenly matched, or one can legitimately challenge Ohio State. This game should be a good one. Here are three bold predictions for the game.

3. Sean Clifford outplays J.J. McCarthy

Sean Clifford has been considered the limiting factor to Penn State’s success. However, this season, Clifford has played with Mike Yurcich as offensive coordinator. It is the first time Clifford has had the same offensive coordinator for consecutive seasons. A one-two punch at running back aids the fifth-year senior.

Freshman phenoms Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen have combined for over 700 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Penn State has not consistently run the football this well since the Saquan Barkley era.

J.J. McCarthy is no slouch, either. The sophomore quarterback has thrown for over 1100 yards, nine touchdowns, and no interceptions. Star running back Blake Corum leads the Wolverines’ rushing attack.

Clifford outplays McCarthy for three reasons. First, the Wolverines have some critical injuries. Sophomore running back Donovan Edwards and tight end Erick All are both out for Michigan. It will be hard for Corum to carry the load alone without Edwards. Cade McNamara is also out, and Michigan has limited McCarthy’s running, which is a vital part of his game.