Penn State dropped its first game of the season Saturday against Michigan. The Wolverines came into the game a 7-point favorite, so it was always going to be a difficult task, but it was the way that the Nittany Lions loss that has left many in Happy Valley frustrated.
Since taking over at Penn State, James Franklin dropped to 1-9 all-time against Top 5 teams. It was the third time since 2016 that Michigan has beaten Nittany Lions by more than two scores.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Sean Clifford #14 of the hands the ball off to Nicholas Singleton #10 in the first half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 15: Penn State Nittany Lions fans talk to a Michigan Wolverines fan during a college football game on October 15, 2022 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 15: Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz reacts during a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines on October 15, 2022 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 15: Michigan Wolverines face off at the line of scrimmage against the Nittany Lions during a college football game on October 15, 2022 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines is tackled by Ji’Ayir Brown #16 in the first half of a game at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Sean Clifford #14 tries to avoid a tackle by R.J. Moten #6 of the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 15: Freshman quarterback Drew Allar (15) passes the ball during a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines on October 15, 2022 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 15: Michigan Wolverines linebacker Mike Morris (90) tackles running back Nicholas Singleton (10) for a loss of yardage during a college football game on October 15, 2022 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 15: Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) runs with the ball during a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines on October 15, 2022 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Head coach James Franklin looks on in the second half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines leaps to avoid a tackle by Jaylen Reed #7 at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Parker Washington #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs up the field in the second half of a game against the Michigan Wolverinesat Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Sean Clifford #14 of the Nittany Lions signals the play during the second half of a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 41-17 over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions fights for extra yards against R.J. Moten #6 and Makari Paige #7 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of a college football game at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 41-17 over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball and avoids tackles by Curtis Jacobs #23 and Kobe King #41 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 41-17 over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Head Football Coach James Franklin is seen on the sideline during the second half of a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 41-17 over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Sean Clifford #14 attempts a pass during the first half of a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions and J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines are seen after a college football game at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 41-17 over the Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
