By the numbers: The dramatic swings of the Michigan-Penn State series

Two of the NCAA’s most historic programs, Michigan and Penn State, have been squaring off on the gridiron since all the way back in … 1993?

That’s right. The two programs, both of which rank top 10 in the country for all-time wins, began clashing less than 30 years ago, when the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten after playing as an independent from 1892 to 1992.

It’s been a competitive series, like one would imagine, with the Wolverines having the lead, 14-10. However, it can’t be described as a ‘back-and-forth’ series, given that there’s only been one three-game stretch — Michigan winning in 2016, losing in 2017 and coming out on top in 2018 — in which the victor alternated.

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Outside of that span, it’s been a series of big swings back and forth.

The Wolverines won the first meeting in 1993, before the Nittany Lions went on to win the next three games. That led to some angst when the fourth-ranked Maize and Blue went to Happy Valley to take on No. 3 Penn State in 1997 for a matchup that was dubbed ‘Judgement Day.’

The jury was still out on only one team after that day, though, and it wasn’t Michigan. The Wolverines dominated in a 34-8 win, racking up 265 yards on the ground and 416 total yards to Penn State’s 169, propelling them forward to an eventual national championship.

It also sprung the Wolverines to a nine-game win streak against Penn State. The Nittany Lions didn’t beat Michigan again until 2008, former head coach Rich Rodriguez‘s first season in Ann Arbor, kicking off four straight victories over the Maize and Blue (2008, ’09, ’10 and ’13).

Michigan answered with three straight wins, with Brady Hoke‘s team notching a triumph in 2014 before Jim Harbaugh‘s squads took care of business in both 2015 and 2016, the year Penn State won its first Big Ten title since 2008.

The teams traded blowout wins in 2017 and 2018, with Penn State winning 42-13 in State College and Michigan taking a 42-7 victory in Ann Arbor, respectively. Penn State has taken the last two (2019 and 2020) and has a chance to extend its streak to three games this weekend. Conversely, the Wolverines have an opportunity to have the series reverse course.

By The Numbers: Michigan Football vs. Penn State

0.67 Sacks allowed per game for the Michigan offense (third in the country), though U-M did yield three sacks against Indiana last week, upping the Wolverines’ total to six on the year. Michigan gives up two tackles for loss per contest, which is tied for first in the nation.

1-Point Spread for this game, per VegasInsider, with Michigan being the favorite. Penn State is 10-3 against the spread in its last 13 games, while Michigan is 4-1 against the spread in its last five contests.

2.33 Field goals per game for Michigan junior kicker Jake Moody, a mark that leads the Big Ten. He’s second in the conference in accuracy with a 91.3 made field goal percentage.

3 Wolverines will return to their home state for the clash in Happy Valley: walk-on redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Kraig Correll (Easton), second-year freshman linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (Pittsburgh) and redshirt junior defensive tackle Donovan Jeter (Beaver Falls).

4 Forced fumbles on the season for Michigan redshirt freshman outside linebacker David Ojabo, which matches a single-season record at Michigan (tied with four others).

15 Straight games with a forced turnover for Penn State. In that stretch, the Nittany Lions have generated 23 total takeaways (15 interceptions, eight fumbles).

45.3 Completion percentage when under pressure for Penn State fifth-year senior quarterback Sean Clifford, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Clifford is connecting on 63.9 percent of his overall attempts for the season. He has five touchdown tosses and five interceptions while facing heat.

89th Nationally is where Michigan ranks in red-zone touchdown percentage (55.6 percent). Penn State, on the other hand, is one of the country’s best at red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score six points on just 29.4 percent of their opportunities (third in America). In 34 red-zone trips, the Nittany Lions have held opposing teams without a score on 12 possessions.

150-Or-More Yards rushing for opponents against Penn State in four of nine games. Michigan has racked up 150-plus rushing yards in five of its nine contests, including four performances of 290 or more yards on the ground.

242 Receiving yards last week against Maryland for Penn State senior receiver Jahan Dotson, who tied his career high in catches (11) and added three touchdowns. The total of 242 yards set a Penn State single-game record, and Dotson’s 86-yard score marked the fourth-longest pass play in school history. Clifford has connected with Dotson for touchdowns 21 times in their careers.