Michigan In Toss-Up Game At Penn State As Wolverines Cling To CFP Hopes

Can you please rephrase this?

Michigan football is set to face Penn State, and it’s amazing how much can change in just a week.

Only a week ago, Michigan football enthusiasts were still experiencing the pain from their defeat against the Michigan State Spartans.

Currently, U-M remains strongly competitive in both the College Football Playoff and Big Ten Conference competitions, with a significant away game approaching.

Will the Wolverines, currently ranked seventh, be able to overcome the hostile environment and defeat Penn State?

Michigan at Penn State: 2021 NCAA Football Odds

Michigan a slight underdog

During Jim Harbaugh’s tenure as head coach, the Wolverines have consistently struggled and been considered underdogs.

Harbaugh had failed to secure a victory as an underdog in all 12 previous attempts at Michigan until this year’s impressive 38-17 win at Wisconsin.

According to legal Michigan sportsbooks, the Wolverines are currently considered slight underdogs against Penn State. The Nittany Lions, playing at home, are predominantly favored by 1 point. Initial odds from FanDuel Sportsbook had Michigan as a mere ½-point underdog, but by Monday evening, it increased to 1.5 points.

In most cases, Michigan is listed at -105 on the moneyline, while Penn State is offered -115 odds.

Most sportsbooks had set the over/under total at 48.5 points, while Golden Nugget Sportsbook had it slightly lower at 48 points.

In their previous nine games, Michigan has an impressive 7-2 record against the spread, with the under prevailing in five of those matches. Meanwhile, Penn State has a solid 6-3 record against the spread and the under has been successful in seven of their nine contests.

Penn State has emerged victorious in the past two matchups, yet the Wolverines hold a 14-10 lead in the overall series against them.

How to watch: Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Michigan Wolverines

• Michigan (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) will be playing against Penn State (6-3, 3-3).
• At noon Eastern Time on Saturday, November 13th.
• The location is Beaver Stadium, situated in University Park, Penn.
• Television network: ABC (Announcers to be announced)
• ESPN+ offers a livestreaming service online.
• Learfield Michigan Sports Network is the radio station.

U-M bounces back against Indiana

Traditionally, Michigan has struggled in the game after playing against MSU, but the Wolverines took care of business on Saturday with a 29-7 victory over Indiana at their home stadium.

While the Wolverines’ performance wasn’t perfect, they managed to accomplish what was necessary, particularly in terms of their defensive efforts.

Michigan’s defense limited Indiana to a mere 195 total yards, recorded two sacks, and forced a turnover.

Michigan’s performance has elevated them to the sixth spot in scoring defense nationally, allowing only 16.0 points per game. Their total defense also ranks sixth in the country, with an average of 297.4 yards per game. Furthermore, the Wolverines hold the eighth position in passing defense nationally, allowing just 173.4 yards per game.

In terms of offense, Michigan incorporated both J.J. McCarthy and Cade McNamara at the quarterback position. McCarthy had an impressive career-high of 10 pass attempts, resulting in 55 yards and one interception. On the other hand, McNamara completed 10 out of 18 passes, accumulating 168 yards and securing two touchdowns.

After Blake Corum exited the game in the first quarter due to a lower-body injury, Hassan Haskins stepped up to take charge in the backfield, carrying the ball 27 times for an impressive 168 yards and scoring a touchdown. This marked Haskins’ highest rushing yards of the season.

Later in the game, Corum was spotted wearing a walking boot on his right leg. Harbaugh expressed skepticism about the injury’s severity, but it remains unclear whether Corum will be available for Saturday’s game.

Still in the College Football Playoff mix

Michigan made their debut in the College Football Playoff Ranking last week, claiming the No. 7 spot, surpassing the undefeated Oklahoma.

Despite the loss to MSU, Michigan remains a strong contender for the playoff if they manage to win their next three games. As per the latest outcomes, Michigan’s odds to win the national championship have now been set at +6000 by DraftKings Sportsbook.

The top contender, Georgia, still holds a strong position with odds of -110. Following closely are Alabama (+360) and Ohio State (+450), both considered as teams with favorable chances. However, Michigan State, initially ranked third but experiencing a defeat last Saturday, now faces long odds with a +7000 rating in the national title race.

Penn State ends losing skid

In the recent month, Penn State, previously ranked among the top 5 teams in the nation, had its sights set on securing a spot in the playoffs. Regrettably, the Nittany Lions faced consecutive defeats against Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio State.

Coach James Franklin remains consistently associated with job opportunities at prestigious universities such as USC and LSU, further complicating the situation.

PSU regained their momentum last Saturday, securing a triumphant 31-14 victory against Maryland.

The game showcased an abundance of offensive plays, resulting in almost 900 yards gained. However, Penn State’s defense managed to create two turnovers, one of which was an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ji’Ayir Brown in the final moments of the fourth quarter.

Penn State’s defense has proven to be elite, ranking in the top 10 for scoring defense by allowing a mere 16.7 points per game. Michigan may face difficulties against Penn State’s run defense, which has surrendered an average of only 137 yards per game. In their recent game against Maryland, Penn State’s defense dominated, limiting them to a mere 48 rushing yards on 27 carries.

Sean Clifford had a strong offensive performance this week, resembling his true form with 363 yards passing and three touchdowns.

After sustaining an injury during the defeat in Iowa, he has been grappling with its effects. Despite not having to sit out an entire game, Clifford had encountered difficulties in the past few weeks. However, he managed to bounce back and deliver back-to-back 300-yard performances against OSU and Maryland.

Jahan Dotson proved to be an unstoppable force at receiver against the Terps. The senior displayed his skills by making 11 catches, amassing a remarkable 242 yards, and scoring three touchdowns. This outstanding performance marked his third game this season with double-digit receptions. In total, Dotson has accumulated an impressive 71 catches, 932 yards, and nine touchdowns throughout the year.

Penn State’s performance on the ground has been lacking, as they currently hold the 119th position in the national rankings for rushing, averaging just 106.3 yards per game.

Can you please rephrase this statement?