ALTOONA, Pa. -- Most Penn State games are relatively easy to predict a winner, which is why we usually have a vast majority of picks going one way or another.
Not this week.
The Nittany Lions and Michigan are essentially a pick 'em game, with the Wolverines favored by 1 1/2 points, and our panel of Penn State beat writers across the state are about as evenly split as it gets.
We have 15 pickers this week, and most of the early picks I received were for Michigan. It looked for a while like the Wolverines would run away with it, but a lot of later picks came in for Penn State.
The final tally ended up being 8 in favor of Michigan and 7 for Penn State.
There are a lot of outstanding comments this week. Many thanks, as always, to all of the media members taking part in our weekly survey.
I'm going to go with Mike Gross for the best comment this week, primarily because I agree with it completely!
Frank Bodani, York Daily Record. Penn State 28-20. Sean Clifford is willing to run and raises his game. He and his receivers spread out Michigan's defense and hit on just enough big plays to protect an early lead.
Donnie Collins, Scranton Times-Tribune. Penn State 28-24. Lions have to get off to a quick start, but they've done that at home. Michigan's defense will allow big plays, which for all the talk about everything else is what this Penn State offense does best and wants to do best. I think this is the best defense Michigan will have seen, and the Wolverines struggle on the road.
Cory Giger, DK Pittsburgh Sports: Michigan 23-20. Wolverines will pile up a lot of yards, and Penn State's defense will have to continue to excel in the red zone. I just don't have faith the Lions will be able to run the ball, and they can't escape against Michigan with a one-dimensional offense.
Mike Gross, Lancaster Online: Michigan 27-23. Michigan has the better offensive line, the better defensive line and more clear-cut motivation.
Elton Hayes, CNHI Pennsylvania: Michigan 24-17. The Wolverines ride their ground game to a late scoring drive to secure the win.
Derek Levarse, Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Michigan 23-20. If Clifford is healthy enough to escape the rush of Hutchinson and Ojabo and move the sticks a few times with his legs, the Lions can win. But we haven't seen much of that since his injury.
Ben Jones, StateCollege.com: Michigan 27-21. Penn State is usually up for big games and rarely gets blown out in them. All the same, Michigan strings just enough drives together.
Joe Juliano, Philadelphia Inquirer: Michigan 26-20. The Nittany Lions need to run the ball to keep the Michigan pass rush from teeing off on Clifford. But after rushing for 62, 33 and 93 yards the last three weeks, the guess here is that's not happening.
Andrew Kalista, FOX 43: Michigan 27-24. Fans need to be 2005-2017 level angry, and defense needs to set up points. If Penn State gets a break in third or fourth quarter, it could turn this into a W.
Kevin McGuire, Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State 28-23. Teams that can run the ball have been pretty effective against Penn State this season, and it would be foolish for Michigan to stray from its bread and butter. But eventually the Wolverines have to make a play through the air, and that's where Penn State thrives in this one. As long as the offense can protect Sean Clifford, Pen State holds on for a big win at home.
Jarrod Prugar, DK Pittsburgh Sports: Penn State 31-24. Sean Clifford wills the offense along, and some timely link ups to Jahan Dotson help the Nittany Lions overcome the Wolverines late.
Neil Rudel, Altoona Mirror: Penn State 24-23. Final big home game and the fans, who were a little annoyed the last time they gathered, should provide boost.
Jon Sauber, Centre Daily Times: Penn State 17-13. This changes if Blake Corum or Donovan Edwards is good to go for Michigan. Without them, the Michigan defense lacks the explosion it needs to succeed with the ball.
Rich Scarcella, Reading Eagle: Penn State 24-20. Nittany Lions rely on their passing game on offense and slow the Wolverines' ground game.
Mark Wogenrich, Sports Illustrated. Michigan 24-20. That defensive touchdown Penn State scored last week really would come in handy Saturday.
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