Penn State handled Michigan on Saturday night in Happy Valley, 42-13.
The Wolverine defense was surprisingly ineffective for much of the game, allowing the Nittany Lions offense to rack up 506 yards.
Michigan's offense, on the other hand, showed signs of life throughout the game, but was never able to sustain drives or get in any kind of rhythm.
Now at 5-2 and 2-2 in Big Ten play, the Wolverines will look to regroup next week against Rutgers.
Find out what they're saying about the loss here:
John Borton, TheWolverine: Michigan Football: Penn State Is White Hot In A Whiteout, 42-13
"Michigan’s hope against a deafening Beaver Stadium whiteout and a revenge-minded, No. 2 Penn State team looked clear cut — keep the Nittany Lions in check with the nation’s No. 1 total defense, and find ways to score.
"That hope lasted roughly five minutes. The 42-13 pummeling that followed seemed to last forever, Michigan (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) simply lacking the weapons to stay with Penn State (7-0, 4-0).
"'I thought their offense played extremely well,' Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said. 'That’s an understatement. They were hitting on all cylinders. Their back was really good, as advertised, and their quarterback, [Trace] McSorley, played really well.
"'The quarterback was hot, the receivers made plays downfield. It was impressive.'
"The Nittany Lions rolled on offense, tailback Saquon Barkley rushing 15 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns while adding three catches for 53 yards and another TD. McSorley proved a dual threat himself, going 17 of 26 through the air for 282 yards and one touchdown while keeping the ball 11 times for 76 yards and three more TDs.
"The Wolverines matched their worst beating since Harbaugh came to town (Ohio State in 2015), Penn State demonstrating all the mercy a wolf would an injured fawn. PSU head coach James Franklin came in 0-3 against the Wolverines and didn’t plan on leaving 0-4.
"Michigan managed 269 total yards to Penn State’s 506, fifth-year senior quarterback John O’Korn going 16-of-28 passing for 166 yards. But aside from a second-quarter rally to briefly reignite hopes, the Wolverines were in for a whiteout wipeout in a valley that was all too happy for the locals."
"13 months is a long time in college football
"Penn State took a beatdown from the Maize and Blue 13 months ago. In late September at The Big House, the Nittany Lions were embarrassed 49-10. The programs were miles apart.
"On Saturday night at Beaver Stadium, they were miles apart once again.
"As the record Beaver Stadium crowd of 110,823 filed out, the scoreboard showed another blowout — but it was reversed.
"Penn State 42.
"Michigan 13
"The Nittany Lions abused the first top-25 team they faced in 2017 and proved their undefeated record against a soft schedule wasn’t a fluke.
"Some people had been doubting Penn State’s offense so far this season. On Saturday night, Joe Moorhead and Co. put those doubts to rest. The Nittany Lions crossed the 500-yard mark against a defense that hadn’t given up 300 yards all season. The Wolverines had the No. 1 total defense in college football heading into the contest."
Anthony Broome, Maize N Brew: Takeaways from Michigan’s blowout loss at Penn State
"Don Brown’s worst game at Michigan
"This was a game where Michigan had to pack its defense to pull off an upset and they simply did not do enough. Going down 14-0 early was extremely disappointing and then once the team got within one point, the defense crumbled again and let Penn State walk right down the field before the half.
"Perhaps the most egregious error of the night was continuing to match Mike McCray, Michigan’s least athletic linebacker, up on Barkley. He was burned a few times and it cost the Wolverines.
"The Wolverines had problems against the best team they have played this season by far and it showed in the end on the scoreboard. This is a young unit and one would expect them to learn from this moving forward.
"Don Brown is a great coach, but his team had its worst night under him in this contest."
"Pass protection woes: [Fifth-year senior quarterback] John O'Korn wasn't the reason why Michigan lost this football game. He wasn't outstanding, but he wasn't a total mess either.
"His pass protection, however, continued to be a wreck as the Wolverines allowed seven more sacks and pressured Michigan's quarterback all game long.
"Michigan [redshirt junior] right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty struggled with Penn State defensive end Shareef Miller.
"But, really, it was everyone. Running backs struggled with pass protection. The offensive line struggled with pass protection. And Michigan's offense — as it has all season — struggled to move the ball consistently because of it."
"What now, U-M?
"The loss is going to turn up the heat on Harbaugh now that the Wolverines appear to be out of the running in the Big Ten East race with five games to play in the regular season. It's easy fodder, but the Wolverines simply don't make the plays on offense behind O'Korn to support a defense that was stressed early.
"Michigan can build confidence with games against Rutgers, Minnesota and Maryland before finishing the season at Wisconsin and home against Ohio State. A third straight 10-3 season under Harbaugh seems like a best-case scenario. A third straight third-place finish in the Big Ten East is questionable. That's going to sting for a while, and it should."
Scott DeCamp, MLive: 5 things being talked about after Michigan's blowout loss at Penn State
"What does Michigan do with the QB spot?
"Is it time for [redshirt freshman] Brandon Peters yet? Remember, the backup quarterback is always the most popular player on the team for fans.
"When [redshirt junior] Wilton Speight struggled out of the gate this season, fans howled for John O'Korn. Now that O'Korn is struggling, those same fans are howling for Peters.
"With Speight injured, O'Korn was given an opportunity to seize the starting QB job. O'Korn has been under the microscope as Michigan's offense has floundered. He wasn't the primary reason the Wolverines lost to Penn State (16-of-28 passing for 166 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions), but fans believe Michigan has nothing to lose at this point.
"While Harbaugh has not been ready to hand over the reins to Peters, you wonder how much longer he can go without giving the young QB a look."
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