Season on the Brink: Michigan Faces Penn State With 3 Major Questions Unanswered

Though Michigan football has come under more scrutiny than any other major college team this year, one thing is clear: Its games have been exciting. Except for UTEP, all of Michigan’s games have been decided in the final minute. 

But whatever success the Wolverines have mustered must be credited to the defense, which is ranked third nationally in total defense and yielding a mere 241.4 yards per game. Michigan also ranks 20th overall in scoring defense, and the Wolverines have not given up more than 14 points in any half this season.

So after back-to-back heart-wrenching losses to Minnesota and Iowa and a bye week, Michigan (3-2) returns home in search of its first Big Ten win of the season Saturday, hosting rival Penn State (3-3) at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.

The Wolverines lead the all-time series 17-10 and have won the last three matchups. Both teams will enter the game knowing a loss would end any chance of reaching the College Football Playoff. With that in mind, here are the three biggest Michigan concerns heading into the Penn State clash.

1. Did Michigan Fix its Offensive Problems During its Bye Week?

During Monday’s press conference, Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham was asked to address two of Michigan’s most glaring problems: the inefficiency of the offense and second year starting quarterback Bryce Underwood.

Instead of attacking those two subjects head on, Whittingham diverted to Michigan’s turnover problem through the first five games, and specifically the three turnovers in the loss to Minnesota.

“The main thing, our big demise is turnover margin,” Whittingham said. “If you look at it, if we continue to lose the turnover margin, we will continue to lose, period. That’s cut and dry, so we have to get that fixed.

“We turned the ball over three times against Minnesota. One was on special teams, but it is a turnover, nonetheless. So, it was three turnovers, and you just can’t win against opponents that are very capable when you’re doing that.”

So, was Whittingham protecting his offensive coordinator Jason Beck from more scrutiny or is he just in denial Beck’s offensive scheme isn’t working in Ann Arbor?

While he gets points for protecting his staff, it left many onlookers wondering if Whittingham truly gets the bigger problem: The offense just isn’t scoring points.

Throwing out the UTEP game, Michigan, with a wealth of blue-chip talent, scored just 13 points against MAC conference opponent Western Michigan, 17 points against Oklahoma and 19 against Iowa – and all of those games were at home. Additionally, the Wolverines only scored 14 points in its first road contest at Minnesota.

But Whittingham dug in and maintained the bigger problem is turnovers.

“That’s the main takeaway and it doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. But we have to start turning the ball over less and taking it away more. Plain and simple. Until that changes, we are going to continue to struggle,” Whittingham said.

2. Will the Offensive Line Finally Break Out Against Penn State?

First the good news: Andrew Babalola was expected to practice again this week for the first time in more than a month. 

Babalola, a much heralded 6-foot-6, 305-pound sophomore five-star offensive lineman, has yet to play a single down of college football. He sat out his entire freshman season with a leg injury and was injured again in August camp. 

Whittingham said he was cleared to begin practice on Monday and the coaching staff was hoping to ramp his reps up all week. 

“It’s been a big disappointment for us because we were really counting on him. He was cleared to play way back when, and we were told he had a setback and then another setback,” Whittingham said. “Hopefully, knock on wood, if we can keep him on the field, then he’ll definitely have a chance to help us.”

On the downside: Whittingham said there were several more players that were “dinged up in the Minnesota game” and are questionable to line up against Penn State. Whittingham added the names and statuses would be released in the injury report Wednesday.

All eyes will be scanning for junior offensive lineman Andrew Sprague’s name. It is believed Sprague may not play again this season with an undisclosed injury. 

Whittingham also said the Michigan offense will continue to utilize its controversial “rhino” package. The formation utilizes an extra lineman who is not an eligible receiver.

When asked about sticking with it, Whitingham acknowledged “most of it.” 

“It gives you an extra big-body blocker in the run game,” he said. “Which should yield dividends in that regard. A better pass protector when you throw the ball. That’s the positives. Negatives, obviously, it is not a viable pass receiver, so the defense has one less passing threat.

“Although one of these days we will throw it to them, but it hasn’t happened yet. That’s been a big part of Jason’s offense, offenses for a lot of years, and you see it more common these days throughout college football, not in the NFL. It is showing up at a pretty decent rate in college football.”

3. Will Bryce Underwood Get the Job Done Against the Nittany Lions?

Underwood, for now according to Whittingham, is still the Michigan starting quarterback, though many people have been screaming for true freshman Tommy Carr to take over the job.

Whittingham has made it clear that no one’s starting job is secure, which leads some to believe Underwood must be a huge factor in a Michigan win Saturday to keep his starting position.

“I’ve continued to stress to everyone about taking care of the ball,” Whittingham said. “With (Underwood) touching the ball every single snap, he is a big part of that. If we don’t get this turnover thing fixed rapidly then something has to give. That is all I can say now.” 

Underwood has thrown four interceptions with just five touchdown passes this season. 

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