The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1508023
OCTOBER 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 11 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Penn State Looking Like 'The Game' In 2023 By Chris Balas Make no mistake — Ohio State is, has been, and always will be the big game on the schedule for Michigan. Even in their "down years" (and there haven't been many recently — heck, any), the Buckeyes usually play the Wolverines tough. This is the one that's circled on the schedule. But Penn State seems to have found a quarterback in Drew Al- lar to go with some outstanding running backs, and that defense is physical. Yes, it got pushed around in Ann Arbor last year, but two things about that — every year is different, and that was in Ann Arbor. The Nittany Lions always play Michigan tough in Happy Valley, and this year's game figures to be no exception. The PSU offensive line looks improved, and while we still give Michigan the edge up front there, it could be much harder to run on this year's defense. If that's the case, it comes down to J.J. McCarthy and his receivers against a solid PSU secondary. There is still plenty to learn about all three of these teams. None of them had played anyone good in the first three games, but it appears as though OSU won't have the same stellar quarterback play it's had over the last several years, and the offensive line is shaky. That plays into the Michigan defense's hands. At this point, it appears the path to a Big Ten title goes through Happy Valley. If PSU somehow wins at OSU, that will be a must-win for U-M's title hopes. Bucks Are Michigan's Biggest Threat By Clayton Sayfie Penn State has been impressive in the early going, while Ohio State has been a bit shaky relative to expectations. However, it's premature to call the Nittany Lions the bigger threat to two-time defending champion Michigan. Ohio State is configured differently than last year's team that came within a field goal of playing for the national championship, but it returned a lot — especially on defense, which looks improved — and still has top- three roster talent nationally per the recruiting rankings. The biggest concern comes at quarterback, where junior Kyle Mc- Cord was good, not great, against weak competition the first two weeks. But just like Michigan's J.J. McCarthy had most of the season to get comfortable before the bigger conference games and plenty of help around him last season, so does McCord this fall. Frankly, too, it's hard to trust Penn State head coach James Franklin. Since 2021, the Nittany Lions are 0-4 against Michigan and Ohio State and 18-4 against everybody else. Franklin is 4-14 overall against the two Big Ten East powers. Even when the Nittany Lions won the Big Ten in 2016, they lost to Michigan by 39 points. This may be their most talented team since then, so they've got a shot, but they have to prove it for us to believe the Buckeyes don't have a better shot of raising the Stagg Trophy in Indianapolis. Plus, early- season games against cupcakes just don't move the needle for us to think much has changed with the league's pecking order. ❱ POINT ❙ COUNTERPOINT ❰ WHO IS MICHIGAN'S BIGGEST BIG TEN TITLE DEFENSE THREAT? Lloyd Carr's Michigan Football Journey is a book about how an "interim" coach stepped up for Michigan and won his way into the College Football Hall of Fame. Along the way, he won 122 games, 5 Big Ten Championships, and 1 national championship. Not bad for a man who didn't know if he would even finish his first season in 1995! This book is a must read for all Michigan Wolverine football fans! This timely book is the perfect way to begin what could be one of the most exciting Wolverine football seasons since 1997. Jim Harbaugh and Team #144 are focused on climbing all the way to the top of the college football mountain in 2023 - just like Coach Carr's team did in 1997. Barry Gallagher is the best-selling author of seven books including four about Michigan Wolverines football You can purchase this book on Amazon or at the M Den. Coach Lloyd Carr Gets A Book Finally, a book about one of the best coaches in Michigan Football History is here!