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Michigan vs Penn State: 3 takeaways from Wolverines win over Nittany Lions

By Jacob Bruetsch

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 15: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is tackled by Kalel Mullings #20, R.J. Moten #6 and Eyabi Okie #18, all of the Michigan Wolverines, during the second half of a game at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 15: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is tackled by Kalel Mullings #20, R.J. Moten #6 and Eyabi Okie #18, all of the Michigan Wolverines, during the second half of a game at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) /
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There are many possible takeaways for Michigan football and Penn State players, coaches, and fans. Here are the three most important takeaways.

Today’s game was one of the most anticipated games of the season. #5 Michigan football finally had a chance to play a team with a pulse, and unbeaten #10 Penn State seemed to be quite the step up. However, whatever pulse the Nittany Lions had coming into the game quickly diminished, as this was a blowout from start to finish.

Even with the final score being 41-17, that’s misleadingly close. This was even more apparent after the first half, where Penn State trailed by only two, despite being statistically dominated. There are many things players, coaches, and fans are going to take away from this game on both sides; here are the three most important.

Michigan Has the Best Offensive Line in the Country… Again

LINCOLN, NE – OCTOBER 9: Offensive lineman Andrew Vastardis #68 of the Michigan Wolverines prepares to snap the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Memorial Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – OCTOBER 9: Offensive lineman Andrew Vastardis #68 of the Michigan Wolverines prepares to snap the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Memorial Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Last year, the Michigan football offensive line won the Joe Moore Award for the top O-Line in the country. Even after losing tackle Andrew Stueber and center Andrew Vastardis, there were hopes in Ann Arbor that this group could contend again.

The addition of Virginia transfer Olusegun Oluwatimi and the emergence of Trente Jones has only solidified those hopes, as the line has done nothing but mash this year. Today marked the pinnacle of that mashing, as the Wolverines gained 418 yards on the ground today against a top-five rush defense. Blake Corum has continued to look like the best running back in the country behind this group, and today was no different with a 166-yard, two-touchdown performance. Donovan Edwards, Corum’s partner in crime, matched Corum’s production today, with 173 yards and two touchdowns of his own. JJ McCarthy didn’t need to do much today, but the line let him do what he needed to do, completing 70% of his passes for 145 yards and 57 additional yards on the ground.

This is an elite group. Michigan won the B1G on the ground, with their offensive line being the biggest part of that. They’re good enough to lead the Wolverines back to Indy and beyond.

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