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P R E G A M E R E P O R T P E N N S T A T E @ M I C H I G A N T I M E 3 : 4 5 P . M . , N O V . 3 | T V E S P N MICHIGAN FACTS COACH Jim Harbaugh (Michigan, '87) COACH'S RECORD 35-12 (23-8 Big Ten) in four seasons at Michi- gan; career college record: 93-39 2018 RECORD 7-1, 5-0 Big Ten RECORD VS. PSU The Wolver- ines lead the all-time series, 13-8. MOST RECENT MEETING Saquon Barkley and Trace McSor- ley scored three touchdowns apiece, as Penn State romped to a 42-13 victory over visiting Michi- gan in front of a White Out crowd on Oct. 21, 2017. GOOD NEWS Michigan has been very good on third down on both sides of the ball. It is converting 47.8 percent of its attempts on offense, the second-highest rate in the Big Ten, and is allowing opponents to convert a league-low 28.7 percent of their attempts. BAD NEWS Although it has been great on de- fense this year, Michigan has the Big Ten's worst red zone defense percentage, as opponents have scored on 93.5 percent of their chances. Eleven of the 14 red zone scores Michigan has surrendered have been touchdowns. DID YOU KNOW? Michigan has intercepted a sur- prisingly low seven passes this season. Only three Big Ten teams have fewer: Rutgers with four and Northwestern and Ohio State with six apiece. However, the Wolverines have returned three of those picks for touchdowns. They are averaging 28.1 yards per inter- ception return, which is the high- est mark in the conference by far. B Y   M AT T   H E R B MATT@BLUEWHITEONLINE.COM Jim Harbaugh is not one to overshare. The fourth-year Michigan coach, who last year refused to release his presea- son roster until compelled to do so by a Freedom of Information Act request filed by a New Jersey media company, was, shall we say, circumspect when asked earlier this week about his team's upcoming opponent, Penn State. Here's Harbaugh on the Wolver- ines' desire to avenge last year's 42-13 loss to the Nit- tany Lions at Beaver Sta- dium: "I think the team will be motivated to play this week. And every week." With an improved offense and stalwart defense, Big Ten East Division leader Michigan poses a huge challenge for PSU SHEA PATTERSON Bryan Fuller/ MGoBlog 1 O C T O B E R   3 1 ,   2 0 1 8 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M DRIVER'S SEAT

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