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Published Jun 12, 2020
Opponent Preview: Expectations Are High For Talented Penn State Squad
Clayton Sayfie  •  Maize&BlueReview
Staff Writer
Twitter
@CSayf23

Note: A version of this Michigan Wolverines opponent preview will appear in The Wolverine Football Preview Magazine, which can be pre-ordered by clicking HERE.

Penn State Nittany Lions Quick Facts

Date Of Game: Oct. 3 at Michigan (Week 5)

All-Time Series: Michigan leads 14-9

First Meeting: U-M 21, PSU 13 (Oct. 16, 1993 at State College, Pa.)

Last Meeting: PSU 28, U-M 21 (Oct. 19, 2019 at State College, Pa.)

Head Coach: James Franklin, 56-23 at PSU (7th year) and 80-38 overall (10th year)

2019 In Review: 11-2, 7-2 Big Ten (2nd East)

Final 2019 Ranking: 9th in Associated Press and coaches’ polls

Returning Starters: 15 (8 offense, 5 defense, 2 specialist)

Last Bowl Appearance: 2019 Cotton Bowl (vs. Memphis, W 53-39)

Lofty expectations surround head coach James Franklin’s Penn State Nittany Lions heading into 2020, with Athlon Sports placing the team at No. 5 in its preseason rankings after an 11-win season and Cotton Bowl victory a year ago.

The most challenging games on PSU’s slate include a tricky trip to Virginia Tech in week two, playing at Michigan to open October and hosting Ohio State on the 24th of that same month. The matchup with the Wolverines at the Big House will be a tough one, seeing as PSU has not come away victorious at the venue in its last three tries, including losing by a combined score of 101-27 in the last two. That’s just the way this series has gone — the home team has won the last four games.

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