Michigan 41- PSU 17.

[iam416]

College Football Nerds have their breakdown of the game out. Their model has it M by 16 or something and a high scoring game. The two commentators both disagree with the model and think it will be closer and lower scoring. Interestingly, they also had huge model disagreement on the UAT-UTK game (model likes UTK, they lke UAT).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHYsfUWlQPY

[Hannibal]

I’d be very surprised if it’s high scoring. But if it is I actually like Michigan, because I don’t think that PSU has the horses to keep pace in a shootout if it turns into one.

[lineygoblue]

I like your breakdown of the game, Jeff. Thanks. You can pick on me anytime.

But for me, that first half, with the exception of the first drive, gave me flashbacks to SO many recent Michigan seasons, and it caused me to lose a lot of faith in the team. I heartily applaud their 2nd half effort, which was actually the opposite of what some previous M teams would have done. (hello Brady and Rich) That first half stretch scared the crap out of me. It was like, "here we go again".

There's a lot to like with this M squad. I really like the O-line, and it looks like we finally have some continuity in those positions. There are excellent players in those spots now, and more in the pipeline. I also like the DL, and I think the LB's are finally coming around. And finally, I like McCarthy and Corum. McCarthy shows a lot of poise for his age, and he has a natural delivery of the ball, and can hit all the passes. Corum can make people tackle air almost as good as Barry Sanders. Some of his moves remind me of him.

I'm going to be at my niece's son's youth league game on Saturday, so I'll have to keep up on my phone app. I really hope M establishes control right from the git-go like they did vs Iowa. But I'm not going to underestimate PSU. Old Dink-head has recruited well, and they'll be a tough out for our guys.

[lineygoblue]

Most Michigan-based sports pundits are predicting M to win by 3-4 points.

Weather shouldn't be a problem. Partly cloudy, low to mid 50's, with a slight possibility of a passing shower.

Jeff would need 2 pairs of long johns, and a eskimo parka.

[WingsFan]

Franklin still has that big monkey on his back - road games vs ranked teams. I wonder if his 24-year-old QB can break the trend - doubt it. It should be an intimidating Maze Out. Plus the LLoyd Carr tunnel, and the 25-year anniversary of Michigan's half NC will be celebrated. Too bad Brady can't be there b/c he is still playing in the NFL

[Mike]

I’m a little worried about this game. It’s still the first real test Michigan has faced.

Wind gusts of 30 mph are predicted which should make a mess of the passing game for both teams. I think this will be a slugfest on the ground. Statistically, both teams are very similar running the ball but Michigan’s SOS is one of the worst in the country.

Get by the Pedos and it’s 11-0 heading to C-Bus… then Pasadena.

[lineygoblue]

James Franklin is at the West Bloomfield vs Southfield A&T game tonight. They showed his helicopter landing with him aboard. I think he's recruiting A&T's quarterback.

[THE_WIZARD_]

STFU

[Jeff Buchanan]

For those who watched the IU game and the seemingly, though not actually, huge numbers of positive plays for IU throwing to the flats, relax. PSU doesn't do any of the shit IU's OC Bell drew up for IU v. M. There's a very good Neck Sharpies post at mgo that runs through why M had trouble with these throws to the flat, crazy ass tempo (Franklin just doesn't do this either) and how they adjusted to all of this.

It's worth a read if you're nervous about PSU doing to M's D what IU did for a few successful plays, those successes outsized in the minds of M fans. The problem with IU's strategy and the large number of plays the offense ran is that you can only install so much in a week of preparation when you get to 40 plays, what's left is repeats of the previous 30, on and on in reducing numbers of new stuff. The D learns and M's D learned very well and very quickly.

Franklin may have had his OC install some tempo. This IS NOT Clifford's thing or the PSU OL's thing. It IS IU's thing they do it all the time and in fact, Allen doesn't give a shit about OL blocking - well he does now - and that was obvious during the game. Once M's LBs and Ss caught on, the DL was free to run wild and they did. Tomorrow's game v. PSU is not going to have M's D look anything like it did v. IU.

On the weather, it's going to be cold but hopefully mostly dry. Yes, there is wind. Anyone that has been down at field level in M stadium knows that a WNW wind blows from every point on the compass. It swirls. But the field level is also more protected from the kind of wind blasts that produce errant field goals and deflects passes longer than 10y.

HARBAUGH!!!! ....... and if for some reason M has a rough time of it and loses a close game, you can bet we'll hear from talent bating M fans that post here with his usual schtick on the greatness of every aspect of M football in 2022. I'm prepared to ignore it.

https://mgoblog.com/content/neck-sha...trol#read-more

[THE_WIZARD_]

You only gave HARBAUGH!!!!!!! 4!'s?

[THE_WIZARD_]

BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!

[Mike]

Look. Here’s the deal: If Michigan wins, it will set up a showdown with Ohio State for the Big Ten Championship. If Michigan loses, it will set up a showdown with Ohio State for the Big Ten championship.

[lineygoblue]

Can't argue with that.

PSU wins, and they get the showdown with OSU

M wins, and they get it .

2nd in the BTE will likely draw a better bowl than the loser of the B1G CCG.

[THE_WIZARD_]

shaddup

[WingsFan]

Mike Hart expected to return to sideline today vs. Penn State, per an announcement from @CFBONFOX.