NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Another week, another must-win. Michigan fell 20-14 to Minnesota and sits 0-2 in the Big Ten, so the Wolverines have no room for error. No more noon kickoffs. Now it is 3:30 pm CBS money watching time for real college football fans. We are at the Big House against a Penn State team on a 3-game losing streak, just as desperate as we are. Somebody gets right this weekend, and it has to be us.
Team NBS Media voice Courtney Walsh covers Penn State for us, and she used her pre-game to throw some shots at me. She mentioned my Minnesota pick of a 27-17 Michigan win. Fair. I blew it, as did the team, and I’ll own it. But Courtney, I’m not the only one who has some explaining to do. Northwestern took your Nittany Lions behind the woodshed 34-14. Let’s talk about glass houses.
Let’s Be Honest
The run game has been BAD. Neither line is good. Bryce Underwood looks lost at times, and he threw two picks against Minnesota, and his numbers that game don’t get you invited to NYC later this year. Our turnover margin is -4, near the bottom nationally, and we have ZERO discipline based on our stats. That’s the bad news. The good news is that we don’t need a masterpiece to win this game.
The Defense Is Our Meal Ticket
Number one in the Big Ten in total defense, passing defense, and run defense, giving up only 94 yards a game. That is how we get the job done. Keep the PSU offense stuck on the sideline, and they aren’t explosive anyway. Hope our offense finds something, anything, and owns field position. This is a perfect game for someone who wants to learn what Big Ten football is like.
3 Keys to the Game
Run right at them. Penn State’s defensive line is easy to push around and create running lanes. They have shown no fight so far this season. They lost stud LB Alex Tatsch; if we can’t run on these guys, then we can’t run on anyone. Remember, being the bully is one of Coach Whittingham’s calling cards; I need to see it. Pound the rock and get the play-action pass game rolling.
Simplify things for Bryce. Short, easy throws, easy reads, and get the ball to our playmakers early. Andrew Marsh is a favorite target of his. Underwood can run will all know that. Use his legs while building his confidence.
Don’t beat ourselves. Penn State expects us to gift them some turnovers; don’t do it. Protect the ball, play clean, and take the points when we have them there. Kicker Trey Butkowski is 4-for-4 on field goals this season with a long of 49 yards, and this might be a late-kick-to-win type of battle.
Why Ww Win
Michigan has won a bunch of these PSU games at home. This Penn State team has a new head coach, a shaky front, and a thin linebacker room. We’re not good yet either, but we’re at home, we have the better defense, and we have a crowd that wants this one badly.
Pick
It will NOT be pretty, and I am a little nervous. If the defense holds, the run game finds a big play or 3, and the Wolverines finally get one in the win column. Courtney can keep the “WE ARE.” We’ll take the W! Michigan 20, Penn State 13.
