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Normally, the Big Ten, Michigan Wolverines, and Penn State Nittany Lions don’t have exactly the kind of seasons they were hoping for. Michigan is just 2-3 on the season and Penn State is 0-5, the first time in program history they’ve started winless in five games.
On Saturday, the two disappointments will face off in Ann Arbor at noon east. As of Thursday, the Wolverines are a 1.5 point favorite in the game.
In a recent edition of ESPN’s college football podcast, David Pollack previewed the game and predicted who he believes will end up winning.
“I don’t think Michigan is great. But I think Cade mcnamara is the guy, ”Pollack said. “I think he has a little something extra for him. With Haskins being the running back’s main focal point, last week he had 23 runs, a career high, I think those two give their offense more. And listen, the Penn State offense is a nonprofit. They’re just going to give you football on a consistent basis, even if you’re in Michigan and you’re not doing well defensively. I’ll take Michigan.
McNamara came on and saved the game for Michigan last weekend against Rutgers. The Wolverines fought after a 17-0 deficit against Rutgers on Saturday night to win 48-42 over the Scarlet Knights in triple overtime.
After starting the quarterback Joe milton struggled again, McNamara stepped in and was effective, in fact, almost flawless when the Michigan attack revived. McNamara finished the game 27 of 36 for 260 yards and four touchdowns once he stepped in for Milton.
“He was exceptional. Really grainy, really grainy performance, ”Michigan coach Jim harbaugh McNamara said after the game. “Either way. The performance was outstanding. His play was inspiring, I can’t say enough good things. So proud of him. It reminds me of some of the great comeback wins I’ve been in.”
FOX analyst Joel Klatt, in an appearance this week on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, discussed the difficulties of the two programs. He believes both longtime Big Ten powers have been hit by the same problem.
“I think there is a common thread between the struggles of these two programs,” Klatt said. “And the fight, at least in my opinion, has been on the defensive side. These two teams have played excellent defense over the past three years. These have been the Big Ten’s top five defenses, the top 10 in the country for the past three years. And now they’re sitting tied for 101st, giving 36 points per game. It’s a problem, it’s a huge problem. “
Despite Penn State’s winless record, Klatt believes Michigan’s problems are more complicated and more difficult to resolve this season.
“For Michigan I think it’s a deeper problem than Penn State’s and the reason is you can point out Micah parsons not be on the field for Penn State, ”Klatt said. “I think he’s the best defensive player in college football or would have been this year. The fact that he’s not there is a big blow to Penn State. Meanwhile, Michigan… they just don’t have the corners. They don’t make it to the quarterback and they don’t have the corners to play like they have in recent years. Don brown, which is a very aggressive blitz style, covering men, from a defensive coordinator. And they’re just set on fire outside.
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“Think about it: Rutgers scored more points on Saturday against Michigan than in their previous five meetings. I mean it’s not even close for Michigan and I don’t know what the answer is. They’re really recruiting. well, they’ve got a top 10 class coming up for 2021, but they need some outside help and i don’t know where that fix is. ”
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