ESPN predicting Penn State football to beat Michigan

It’s do-or-die time for Penn State football. The Nittany Lions welcome the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines to Beaver Stadium on Saturday with their backs to the metaphorical cliff’s edge in the College Football Playoff race. This game has taken on even more national significance in recent days, as rumors continue to swirl around Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan football sign-stealing saga. But with the nation’s eyes turned to Happy Valley, will James Franklin finally get the program-defining win that has eluded him for so long? According to ESPN Analytics, the early odds may be in Penn State’s favor heading into Saturday.

ESPN Analytics puts Penn State as slight favorite over Michigan

Undoubtedly, much attention will be given to the off-field drama around the Michigan football program in the days leading up to Saturday. But on the field, Michigan is one of the most dominant teams in college football this season. The 9-0 Wolverines come into this weekend outscoring opponents 366-60 on the year.

But sitting between Jim Harbaugh and a third straight Big Ten title is a top-ten matchup in Happy Valley. And according to ESPN, the Michigan football team may falter in its first big test of the season. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Penn State the slightest of edges in this game, favoring the Nittany Lions 50.7% to 49.3%. 

Penn State football is coming off one of its best showings of the season, blowing out Maryland 51-15 in College Park over the weekend. It was perhaps the most complete game we’ve seen from Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions offense in weeks, while the defense held the Terrapins to -49 total rushing yards. 

Here comes that discussion again for James Franklin

Once again, James Franklin comes into this week looking to flip the script on the narrative about his coaching in big-time matchups. Franklin is 13-23 against AP Top 25 teams during his time at Penn State, including a 3-16 record against top 10 teams. 

Franklin is currently 3-6 against Jim Harbaugh and Michigan during his time in Happy Valley. But up until the last two seasons, this matchup had been won by the home each year since 2016. 

Despite ESPN’s prediction, Vegas currently favors Michigan. The Wolverines opened as a slight favorite, with the line currently down to 3.5 points. But as rumors swirl around Ann Arbor and the possibility of suspensions for Michigan football staffers, including Jim Harbaugh, it feels like a lot could change in this matchup prior to the weekend.

Saturday’s game will kick off at noon and be aired on FOX. 

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