Michigan sends a big statement to the rest of the college football world with Penn State win.
While it was an incredibly tight ballgame at the half, Michigan ran all over Penn State in the second to win easily, 41-17.
As it turns out, getting into it with the Wolverines in the tunnel at halftime was the worst thing the Nittany Lions could have ever done. It was 17-16 Michigan through two quarters, but the Wolverines came out guns a-blazing in the final two frames. They outscored the Nittany Lions to the tune of 25-3 over the last two quarters. The Wolverines have improved to 7-0 on the season.
While some people will still criticize the Wolverines’ soft schedule, a win over a rival team is huge.
Michigan makes a big-time statement by clobbering Big Ten rival Penn State
Michigan field goals and a Penn State forced turnover were what made the game close at the half.
Midway 2nd quarter:
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 15, 2022
Michigan 13 points
Penn State 9 yards
Also, not another word about the damn schedule. Dominated the two toughest opponents on the schedule. Michigan is averaging 285 rush yards a game against Iowa/Penn State and their vaunted run defenses.
— GBM Wolverine (@GBM_Wolverine) October 15, 2022
That latest touchdown puts Michigan up, 41-17, over No. 10 Penn State.
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) October 15, 2022
In national media narrative world, such a margin means this is no longer a big game or big win for the Wolverines. Sorry to Michigan fans, I don't make the rules.
Michigan defense waves goodbye to Penn State. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/sswOj2xtzn
— CHRIS TORELLO *️⃣ (@TorelloSports) October 15, 2022
However, a dominating day on the ground for the Wolverines’ rushing attack quickly made this game a laugher in the end.
Penn State down so bad right now, truly. Michigan might actually win by 50. Corum’s a god. #GoBlue 〽️ pic.twitter.com/f1A0A1Kj1n
— FaZe Nickmercs (@NICKMERCS) October 15, 2022
Joel Klatt has a point -- this Michigan-Penn State score should be way worse, second half has been a fire drill for the Nittany Lions
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) October 15, 2022
Total yardage:
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) October 15, 2022
Penn State 231
Michigan 541, 396 of it rushing by Edwards, Corum, and McCarthy.
The score has finally caught up to the stats. 41-17.
True freshman 5⭐️ QB Drew Allar has entered the game for Penn State vs. Michigan. pic.twitter.com/MzkjZpafvM
— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 15, 2022
It got so out of hand in Ann Arbor that five-star freshman quarterback Drew Allar took over for a miserably ineffective Sean Clifford in the game. Clifford completed roughly a third of his passes in what is his sixth college season. It might be time for James Franklin to make the move full-time…
Michigan's rushing attack gains over 400 yards on the ground vs. Penn State's #5 run defense that was only allowing 78 yards per game --> pic.twitter.com/AQp6BBLduo
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) October 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1581368529286111232
Ball game. Michigan racks up 563 yards and crushes Penn State, 41-17, in a battle of top 10 teams. #GoBlue
— Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) October 15, 2022
Michigan rushing yards at home with blue jerseys and blue pants since 2021:
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) October 15, 2022
• vs. Washington: 343
• vs. No. 2 Ohio State: 297
• vs. No. 10 Penn State: 418
Ultimately, Michigan is almost certainly getting to The Horseshoe undefeated. The biggest game on the schedule between now and the Ohio State date is the one the week prior vs. potential Big Ten West champion Illinois. As for the Nittany Lions, they may not have what it takes to beat the Buckeyes at home, even if it is a Whiteout. They are way more likely to finish at 10-2 than at 11-1.
Michigan made the College Football Playoff last year, and the Wolverines might be back this year.
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