No Harbaugh, No Problem

The Wolverines found out they'd be playing without their head coach just 20 hours before kickoff against Penn State in Happy Valley, but it didn't matter. Michigan picked up its tenth win, 24-15.

Ok, everyone who wasn't a believer before...can you say that Michigan is a good football team now?

The Wolverines, without its head coach and apparent edge from stealing signs, managed to go into Beaver Stadium and defeat the No. 9 Nittany Lions. How ever did they accomplish that? It's because they're a damn good football team, so let's focus on the good from today.

Three Up

Michigan defense

The Michigan defense as a whole is just so good. Today at Penn State, it showed up early by forcing a blazing fast three and out right out of the gate. Jesse Minter's unit also bent but did not break late in the first quarter. The Nittany Lions had 1st and goal from the three and had to settle for a field goal. On the first possession of the second half, Michigan defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny forced a fumble from quarterback Drew Allar, who had been running effectively and moving the chains pretty consistently. It was recovered by Makari Paige and set Michigan up in good shape, which led to a field goal. The Wolverines were also just really solid in several key situations forcing punts, making sure tackles and really playing disciplined, assignment football. Kudos to the entire unit and Minter as the orchestrator. 

JJ McCarthy as a runner

Michigan's junior quarterback certainly wasn't asked to throw it very much as he went just 7-for-8 for 60 yards on the day, but when asked, he made the correct play, and it was often with his legs. McCarthy did take a big sack on the first series of the game, which ate into his rushing total, but he bounced back and picked up several first downs with his legs and also utilized his athleticism to move the pocket after getting pressured often early. When the dust settled, McCarthy had piled up 34 yards on the ground on just eight attempts. It wasn't necessarily a stat-stuffing performance, but every yard was big and important.

Donovan Edwards showed up when needed

On this day, when Michigan ran the ball 43 times, it was Edwards, who has struggled all year, who really made some clutch plays when needed. In the first half, on a nearly botched snap, Edwards ripped off a 22-yard touchdown run on 3rd and long, which really set took the air out of the stadium not long before halftime. Edwards had another 22-yard run earlier in the half that seemed to set the tone for both he and Blake Corum on the day. The tandem finished with 197 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries. 

Now Michigan is 10-0 and there really isn't much anyone can say anymore. Connor Stalions is gone, the sign-stealing allegation is beyond public knowledge and as a cherry on top, Jim Harbaugh was suspended for the biggest game of the season. All Sherrone Moore and Co. did was roll into Happy Valley and grab an incredibly important 'W' with just to regular season games remaining.