Michigan vs. Penn State Preview: Two Struggling Blue Bloods Look To Bounce Back

Michigan returns from its bye week Saturday to host Penn State at Michigan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

The Wolverines (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) face a Penn State team (3-3, 0-3) that has lost three consecutive conference games under first-year head coach Matt Campbell. Kyle Whittingham, Michigan’s first year head coach, has gotten off to a bad start as well with his struggling offense.

Michigan’s offense is like a box of chocolates and not in a good way; you never know what you’re going to get. They’ve shown flashes of efficiency at times, while other times they get completely shut down. They have a great defense trying to make up for offensive inconsistency.

With Penn State, however, you kind of know what you’re going to get: an anemic run game forced to air it out and a good pass defense trying to make up for a bad run defense.

Both teams have new coaching staffs, along with their backs against the wall after tough starts. Below is the breakdown.

Penn State's Offense

Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser brought his spread-pro system from Iowa State alongside quarterback Rocco Becht. The offense combines spread formations, multiple-tight-end packages, and pre-snap adjustments designed to create favorable matchups.

Penn State averages 392.8 total yards per game, including 251.2 passing yards and 141.7 rushing yards.

The Nittany Lions managed just 48 rushing yards against Northwestern and 68 against USC. Their 4.1 yards per carry for the season reflects an offense struggling to establish consistent rushing lanes.

In the passing game, Becht has completed 104 of 166 passes for 1,397 yards, 11 touchdowns, and three interceptions.

His performance has varied considerably against conference opponents. He threw for just 114 yards against Wisconsin before rebounding with 289 yards and a touchdown against USC. At times he’s shown streaks of efficiency while struggling at others. Sound familiar?

Michigan's Defense

Michigan’s game plan is to control the run game by winning the interior line of scrimmage, forcing teams to challenge their excellent secondary and fight off their relentless pass rush—a strategy that has been effective against Penn State this season.

Defensive coordinator Jay Hill has Michigan ranked among the nation's best defenses, allowing just 241.4 total yards per game, including 94.6 rushing yards per game and 2.8 yards per attempt.

The numbers would likely be even more remarkable if the offense hadn’t constantly put them in difficult situations. It is tough to watch at times, as this may be one of the top 10 defenses in Michigan’s history, yet its potential is limited by offensive inconsistencies.

Penn State's Defense

Defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn employs four-down linemen featuring multiple coverage looks and frequent nickel personnel.

In the running game, the Nittany Lions surrender 165.8 rushing yards per contest.

While the stats are skewed a bit due to giving up a whopping 413 rushing yards to Northwestern, they’ve been far from stout. Temple ran for 176 against them.

Penn State has been effective against the pass, allowing approximately 143 passing yards per game (5th in FBS). Of course, that comes with the caveat that Northwestern didn’t need to pass.

Michigan’s Offense

The Wolverines average only 135 rushing yards per game and managed just 79 against Minnesota. While it’s hard to imagine with these two programs, this phase of the game can only be described as weakness versus weakness at this point.

In the passing game, who knows?

Bryce has yet to put together a complete game. He was close versus Iowa, but a late interception cost them three points, and we all know how important three points are against a team like Iowa. If we didn’t know, now we know.

The talent is there. The question is whether they can take care of the football and execute consistently at a high level. So far, the answer is no.

Prediction

This is one of the more challenging stretches for both programs in recent years. Outside of the Michigan defense, neither team has established any dominant traits or even identities yet. Both risk finishing in the lower half of the Big Ten.

Michigan has several offensive players with high ceilings, but outside of two receivers, they have yet to prove they can consistently compete at the highest level.

Nevertheless, Michigan faces an opponent where the winning game plan is to RUN THE DAMN BALL. Being at home and coming off the bye week gives them an advantage. Michigan's defense will perform as usual, and Jordan Marshall will get going this week. Michigan covers.

Michigan 31, Penn State 16.

GO BLUE!