This game could be a low-scoring game as the Michigan Wolverines (8-2) take on the Penn State Nittany Lions (7-3). The Big 10’s third-leading receiver, Chris Godwin (808 yards, 3 TDs), will be on display in this contest. Players will take the field Saturday, Nov 21 at 12:00 p.m. ET and it will air on ABC.
In its last game before the bye, Penn State barely lost to Northwestern 23-21. Chris Godwin had an outstanding performance in the loss, hauling in eight passes for 104 yards. Saquon Barkley also had a big game with 120 rushing yards and two TDs on 25 carries. Michigan is hoping for another victory like last week’s performance, when it defeated Indiana 48-41. Jehu Chesson had a great game for the Wolverines, grabbing 10 receptions for 207 yards and four TDs. Jake Rudock had a big game as well, totaling 440 yards and six TDs through the air.
The Wolverines take on the Nittany Lions as a five-point favorite this week. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is currently not available.
While the Nittany Lions have a good Straight Up (SU) record this season (7-3), they’ve played below expectations with a 4-6 record Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last five games, the Nittany Lions have records of 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS. The Nittany Lions have performed better than their season average of 207.4 passing yards, averaging 243.6 yards over the last five games. Transitioning to the Penn State defense, there are some things to keep in mind when it is on the field. Expect the Nittany Lions defense to restrict Michigan’s passing attack. The Nittany Lions have the second-ranked pass defense in the nation and give up only 159 passing yards per game. The Wolverines will need to stop Penn State’s defense from getting to their quarterback in order to be successful in this game. The Nittany Lions lead the nation in sacks with four per game. Penn State, one of the least penalized teams in Division I (19th), hopes to continue that trend this week. The team has averaged just 41 penalty yards per game this season.
As for their opponent, the Wolverines have 8-2 SU and 5-5 ATS records this season. In the previous five games, Michigan has a record of 4-1 SU and 2-3 ATS. The Michigan defense has given opposing running backs fits this season. Opponents average just 103.4 rushing yards per game against this intimidating group. The pass rushers for the Wolverines have got to be excited about their matchup this week against the Nittany Lions, who rank 120th in the country with an average of 3.3 sacks allowed per game. Michigan tends to control the time of possession during games, averaging a time of 33:18 for 16th in the country.
Predictions: SU Winner – Michigan, ATS Winner – Michigan
Notes
Penn State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games.
Penn State is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Penn State’s last 10 games.
Penn State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Penn State’s last 6 games at home.
Penn State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Michigan.
Penn State is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing Michigan.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Penn State’s last 7 games when playing at home against Michigan.
Michigan is 6-1 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Penn State is 6-0 SU when leading at the end of the third quarter.
Remarkably, Penn State is only 1-2 SU in games where it comes out ahead in the turnover battle, yet undefeated (5-0 SU) when losing the turnover battle.
The Penn State rushing attack is ranked only 100th in the country, while the Michigan run defense is ranked eighth. The Wolverines rushing game is ranked just 68th, compared to the 47th-ranked run defense of the Nittany Lions.
