Is Michigan a good matchup or no?
- Thread starter Ole_Ted
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They feel a little like some of the Wisconsin teams of old. Run first, big tough O-line, sure, their qb is way more dynamic. I think we are going to have to beat them with speed, under Franklin we haven't proven we can out-tough an opponent like this. We should really have a pretty good understanding of what Harbs is trying to do because he ain't changed much. Ohio state, up until last year, whipped these guys with crossing routes and speed. I think we are going to need to throw a lot, im not sure our run game can be relayed upon yet in this type of environment.
Franklin has struggled against Wisconsin??? Really? Franklin is 3-0 against Wisconsin @PSU including beating them in the CCG.
I mean, it's as "good of a matchup" as we can probably get against a top 10 team. Michigan's not intimidating. They're beatable. We have to limit turnovers (can't see a repeat of the Northwestern game) and control the time of possession.
Boy, not a critical reader at all. I said Franklin hasn't "out toughed" an opponent like this, hat on a hat, run when we need to. He has done well against Wisconsin and I think he can using the same principles against Michigan . Speed and the passing game.
Michigan lost their two great DEs from last season, so their pass rush is no where near as good as last year. The whole team is overrated and McCarthy is unimpressive. I like our chances.
And 7 of those sacks came today vs Indiana. Like you said, shabby competition
No, Penn State does not need to play "flawless". Nobody plays "flawless".
Penn State needs a good game plan, win or tie the turnover margin, and convert inside the red zone.
Penn State lost FIVE turnovers in ONE game and STILL won by 10 points. You're misusing the term "struggle".
In a monsoon where they turned the ball over 5 times..... never trailed, led by two scores most of the game and ended up winning by two scores.
Think about this: Northwestern produced a total of 22 yards in the five possessions after the five turnovers...
Anyways the talking ends next Saturday.
Five turnovers. Quick, name all the power five teams who won this year with five turnovers. I'll wait...no I won't because I already know the answer is one. PSU. Nobody else
I think you are wrong on both counts. The transfer LBer/DE from Alabama is coming on strong. They have very strong DL. McCarthy is very mobile and throws accurately on the run. PSU has to keep Corum from breakout runs and keep McCarthy hemmed in as he seems to be a more dangerous passer when scrambling. Michigan also has an excellent group of receivers.
For PSU to win:
--Limit Corums big plays
--Contain McCarthy in the pocket
--PSU must pass protect on both sides of the OL Wallace must have a strong game
--Clifford must look more consistently to passing to RB, play calm limiting overthrows and no INTs
--PSU has to establish both inside/outside running game
--DL has to limit UM run game, LBers defend middle of the field and has to be pressure on McCarthy.
This game is definitely winnable for PSU.
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So, we probably have to play better than solid football. I agree it's basically a toss up but I don't think "solid" football is enough for either team to win. Both have to bring their A game if they're going to win. Neither team is going to be sleepwalking through this one.
Yea be fair with your assessment. Penn State struggled because of weather. I know , NW played in the rain too. Anyone who is being honest knows that if it's dry out for that game, there is no struggle.
Indiana kept the game close for...50 minutes with:
-zero running game (19 yards, 80 if you talk about legitimate running plays on 18 rushes, 39 of which came on one play)
-near zero ability to drop back and pass (7 sacks, multiple QB hits)
-McCarthy threw for 300 yards
-Corum rushed for 125
If you don't feel better about this game than you did, nothing will help you.
-zero running game (19 yards, 80 if you talk about legitimate running plays on 18 rushes, 39 of which came on one play)
-near zero ability to drop back and pass (7 sacks, multiple QB hits)
-McCarthy threw for 300 yards
-Corum rushed for 125
If you don't feel better about this game than you did, nothing will help you.
Michigan has 15 sacks against lousy competition. If you look even deeper, their D Linemen are responsible for THREE of those 15 sacks. The rest are DBs/LBs. If Clifford is on his game, we don’t lose the turnover battle and the Referines are not a factor, we win.
Yeah but it's a Wisconsin team that is playing for the coach they want to keep long term. We sleepwalked through most of that game and the outcome was never truly in doubt. I don't see any concern from that game.
We had 5 turnovers. Sloppy game in shìt conditions. Our coaches were on it. If they were asleep, we lose that game.
Why? It was the game against an awful team before a bye week and Michigan. That happens like it happened to Harbaugh today. Georgia did it for 2 weeks before Auburn. Thankfully NW was so bad it didn't matter to the point where we didn't even have to turn it on late to win.
Not sure PSU is tough enough. The next three weeks is slobberknocker football and that’s not PSU’s style.
