The line “it doesn’t get any bigger than this” is overused, but in the case of this year’s Penn State-Michigan game, its relevant.
Going just based off the on-field implications, the game’s already big enough.
Michigan’s 9-0 and ranked No. 3 in the country.
A Michigan win would keep it in the driver’s seat to win the Big Ten and get to the College Football Playoff for a third straight time.
Penn State’s 8-1 and ranked No. 10. It needs a win to have any chance of winning the Big Ten and making the Playoff, the latter of which has never happened in program history.
There have been a lot of important Penn State-Michigan games over the years, but what makes this one different is the fact that Michigan is currently under investigation for illegal sign-stealing, and that investigation has led to coach Jim Harbaugh being banned by the Big Ten— at least, for now— from coaching in any of Michigan’s last three regular season games. Michigan has filed an injunction and a temporary restraining order. If it gets it, Harbaugh, who traveled with the team, will be able to coach in Beaver Stadium.
The Harbaugh talk will be dominant leading up to the game, but Penn State might be thinking more about what happened last season. Michigan embarrassed PSU in Ann Arbor 41-17.
Michigan’s a 4.5-point favorite. For Penn State fans who won’t be in Beaver Stadium Saturday, here’s how to watch and listen to the game.
Kickoff time: Noon
TV: Fox
Livestream: FoxSportsGo
TV announcers: Gus Johnson (PXP) Joel Klatt (color) Jenny Dell (sideline)
Radio: Penn State Football Radio Affiliates
Radio announcers: Steve Jones (PXP), Jack Ham (color) Brian Tripp (sideline)
Sirius XM: Ch. 82/83
