Penn State and Michigan will meet on Saturday in a matchup between two teams already in desperation mode midway through the season. Both began the 2026 season hopeful for the future with a new coach in charge. Six weeks into the season, that hope and optimism have turned into doom and gloom for both programs that enter Week 7 on losing streaks in Big Ten play.
The Wolverines began the season with a controversial win before beating Oklahoma in Week 2 for what seemed, at the time, like Kyle Whittingham's first signature win in Ann Arbor. However, successive losses to Iowa and Minnesota, where the offense has looked inept, have raised the temperature under Whittingham just five games into his tenure. The Nittany Lions had a lengthy coaching search before finally bringing in Matt Campbell from Iowa State, and Penn State fans expected a swift return to Big Ten contention.
Three consecutive losses to open conference play have already raised questions about Campbell's fit in State College, and he finds himself in desperation mode heading on the road into a hostile environment. For years, Penn State vs. Michigan was one of the biggest games of the year in the old Big Ten East.
This year, what it lacks in intrigue regarding the College Football Playoff race, it makes up for in what it will tell us about the trajectory of two traditional Big Ten powers. The winner will be able to let out a sigh of relief, while the loser will be staring down a fight just to make it to a bowl game in 2026. Bryce Underwood as a runner: In Michigan's biggest win of the season against Oklahoma, it was Underwood running the ball that was the difference for the Wolverines.
He carried the ball 18 times for 87 yards and one touchdown, which was by far his most productive rushing game of the season. The Penn State defense has struggled this season, and both Aidan Chiles and Colton Joseph have rushed for touchdowns against them for Northwestern and Wisconsin. Throwing the ball consistently hasn't been a strength of the Michigan offense, and in a game they desperately need, look for the Wolverines to try and take advantage of Underwood as a runner at times -- especially in red zone opportunities.
Can Penn State create explosive plays?: Moving the ball on Michigan's defense consistently is a difficult task, and in both of their losses, it was explosives that led to scores for Minnesota and Iowa. Penn State's offense ranks in the middle of the pack in explosive plays this season, but has not been as dynamic since Koby Howard's injury took away their top downfield threat. If the Nittany Lions are going to score against Michigan, they have to find a way to produce some explosive plays.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
