Psychic Vibes: Five Specific Predictions For Michigan vs. Penn State

The No. 3 Michigan Wolverines are set to take on the No. 9 Penn State Nittany Lions in Happy Valley this weekend in what should be the toughest matchup for both teams this season. The Wolverines are favored on the road, but only by 4.5 points, so this one figures to be competitive. It's hard to predict this game because Michigan has been so dominant against inferior competition, while Penn State has been very up and down. Here are some things I think we'll see...

1. JJ McCarthy will not be sacked

Michigan's star quarterback has only been sacked 11 times in nine games and has been kept completely clean during four of those games. Penn State certainly has the best pass rushers Michigan will have seen, but the Wolverine offensive line is better than anything those Nittany Lions have seen. Throw in JJ McCarthy's athleticism and playmaking ability and I think he leaves State College with a clean uniform and a zero next to his name in the "sacks taken" column.

2. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards both score a touchdown

After watching Blake Corum score short touchdowns over and over and over again over the past two seasons, he's become a virtual automatic once at or near the 10-yard-line. Because of that, I think he'll find pay dirt inside Beaver Stadium. The 5-8, 210-pounder has a nose for the goal line and also plays in a scheme that gives him a ton of chances to punch it on.

Edwards, on the other hand, has not been able to get it going and has just two rushing touchdowns on the year compared to Corum's 16. Still, Penn State is well aware of what these guys are capable on offense after Michigan's 418-rushing yard explosion last year in Ann Arbor. I think both backs will get plenty of opportunities and both will find the end zone.

3. Drew Allar will complete less than 55% of his passes

Allar looks great on the hoof at 6-4, 243 pounds and he's a pretty good athlete too. He's got a big arm, a quick release and certainly a lot of upside, but he's been inconsistent this year. Last week was his best performance of the year as he went 25-of-34 for 240 yards and four touchdowns at Maryland en route to a 51-15 victory. But for the year he's completing just 62.8% of his passes and he's finished below 55% three times — at Illinois, at Northwestern and at Ohio State. Those performances are forgettable, but luckily for PSU fans and Allar and his teammates, he's much better at home. Michigan's secondary is damn good, but they'll need to be locked in.

4. The Michigan defense will take the ball away twice

The turnover battle is going to be extremely important in this one and both teams are pretty good at taking care of the ball. McCarthy has been razor sharp with just three interceptions on the year, while Allar, has done an even better job at taking care of the ball with just one pick to his name. If Michigan can take the ball away twice, while taking care of the ball itself, a win will be built into the rest of the performance.

5. Michigan will score in the third quarter, Penn State will not

Both Penn State and Michigan have shut teams out in the third quarter this year, which is an incredible accomplishment. On the flip side, both teams do a good job at scoring their own points in the third quarter. Michigan is scoring 12.7 points per third quarter, which is good for the top spot in the country, while Penn State isn't far behind at No. 12, scoring 9.5 points in the third. I believe Michigan has the better offense, so they'll break that streak for Penn State tomorrow. Both teams can get after it on defense, I just think Michigan will find an answer on offense, whereas Penn State will not.