Penn State Preview #11: Michigan

Nothing like the white out game, senior day, the #12 team in the country, and a noon start time in one. This year’s white out is also senior day, adding to what is bound to be an exciting day in Happy Valley.

Preview

The Michigan Wolverines will come into the arguably the greatest atmosphere in college football as they face Carl Nassib and Anthony Zettel who will be playing their last game at Beaver Stadium. Potentially Christian Hackenberg’s last home start as well.

Notes

Time- Noon

Location- Beaver Stadium, State College, Pa

Television- ABC

Opponent-  #12 Michigan Wolverines (8-2)

Line- UM is a 3.5 point favorite

Last meeting- 18-13 Michigan (2014)

Visitors-

This weekend will be Penn State’s annual white out game and as always a large group of visitors will be on hand. The noon start will prevent a couple of recruits from being present but a very impressive group will still be on hand.

Almost half of the 2016 committed class will be there, they include:

4 star RB Miles Sanders

4 star LB Cameron Brown

4 star DE Daniel Joseph

4 star DT Ellison Jordan

4 star OC Connor McGovern

4 star CB Zechariah McPhearson

4 star OL Michal Menet

3 star OL Alex Gellerstedt

3 star DT Michael Dwumfour

3 star K Quinn Nordin

2016 recruits not committed include

4 star CB Joejuan Williams- official visit

3 star WR Phillip Paterson

4 star LB Brendan Ferns- possible

3 star Juco S Kyzir White- committed to WVU

4 star QB Brandon Mcllwain- committed to SC

The 2017 group is outstanding.

PennState’s only 2017 commit 4 star QB Sean Clifford will be on hand.

Other 2017 recruits

4 star LB Dylan Rivers

4 star DT Cam Spence

5 star OL Isaiah Wilson

4 star LB Jordan Anthony

4 star OL Robert Hainsey

4 star OL CJ Thrope

4 star OL Micah Clark

4 star LB Avery Roberts

4 star LB Nathan Proctor

4 star ATH Devon Hunter

3 star DE Damion Barber

2 star ATH Ryan Lezzer

4 star DE Yetur Matos

4 star OL Jordan McNair

3 star OL Carter Warren

4 star ATH Lynn Bowden

3 star DE Ethan Wiederkehr

3 star OC Sam Gerak

3 star DE Jordan Williams

2018 recruits include:

QB Phil Jurkovec

QB Jason Whittaker

WR Shaquon Anderson- Butts

DE Micah Parsons

FB Bartek Rybka

Stay tuned as we will update this list up until kickoff.

Last Thoughts

This game will be the last home game of the year for Penn State(7-3). They’re going up against one of the toughest teams on their schedule. Michigan is a heavy favorite and they have every reason to be, but anything can happen on a White Out, even if it is at noon. The last time the Lions hosted Michigan for the white out, freshman QB Christian Hackenberg led a comeback that resulted in a 4OT win. Penn State will have to rely again on running back Saquon Barkley if they have any chance in this one. Indiana ran for a shocking 307 yards against the Wolverines last week. Nassib and company will have to get to Jake Rudock fast to prevent him from connecting with his dangerous weapons down field. Tight end Jake Butt could give the linebackers huge problems with his mismatch. Grant Haley will most likely be given the task of guarding explosion receiver Jehu Chesson who went for over 200 yard and 4 TDs last week. James Franklin and John Donovan will have to get creative if they have any chance of fooling one of the top defenses in the nation. I know I say this every week, but Christian Hackenberg will have to bring his A game. We’ve seen the past couple of years that no matter how much of an underdog the Lions are for the white out, they always seem to fight a little harder. Unfortunately I do not see them winning this one, but I hope they surprise me.

Prediction: Michigan 28 Penn State 20