Jim Harbaugh or no Jim Harbaugh. Connor Stalions or no Connor Stalions. This seems like the best Michigan team the program has fielded in quite some time, better even than the last two that have advanced to the College Football Playoff. (It's tough to say for sure given its cupcake schedule to this point.) Penn State is flawed offensively with a lack of explosive weapons to take the top off opposing defenses (as we saw against Ohio State). There's no doubt the Wolverines have the motivational edge with the suspension of Jim Harbaugh. I expect the Happy Valley crowd to play a role in keeping this close early, but Michigan should pull away in the second half.

The Wolverines are the better team, and their "us against the world" mentality is a real thing amid the controversy surrounding coach Jim Harbaugh.

It looks like no Jim Harbaugh on the the sidelines here. No matter, even as James Franklin had some success vs. lesser Wolverine editions earlier in his career, the current Nittany Lions and QB Drew Allar don't throw the ball downfield often enough to suggest Penn State about to make a breakthrough. Can Allar really "matriculate" (in Hank Stram's vernacular) the field throwing check-down after check-down? Two top-ranked defenses suggest this one is lower scoring likes Nittany Lions-Buckeyes a few weeks ago, but suspect JJ McCarthy's playmaking ability gives Michigan a big edge over Franklin and Allar.

Michigan has turned up the volume on opponents and has gone 4-1-1 ATS after starting the season with too high of a rating. They’ve scored 41-points or more in the last five games and gotten Over the total in its last five games. Penn State losing to Ohio State sent them into a two-week-long tailspin and they had trouble with Indiana, but they got back to normal against Maryland last week, 51-15. They’re scoring at home against Michigan. I took the points with Penn State.

I think they're going to be elated in Happy Valley after Saturday's game. I've had a high opinion on both Michigan and Penn State all year long. James Franklin's team is 5-0 straight up and 4-1 against the spread while outscoring opponents 45.6 to 9.2 at Home. Their defense is a top five unit. This will be Michigan's first big test with them being a 17-point favorite or great in every game. Penn State's experience versus Ohio State will get them the victory over Michigan. Does spygate catch up to the Wolverines. Take Penn State plus the points and a sprinkle on the money line.

Wow Penn State getting this many points at home. Michigan has played a largely joke of a schedule so far and doesn't this whole cheating thing have to take a toll at some point? PSU at least has played two ranked teams in Ohio State (played well but lost by eight in Columbus) and Iowa (blew out Hawkeyes). The third quarter will be fascinating as the teams have outscored their opponents 211-0 in that quarter this season.