Penn State vs Michigan Picks and Prediction for Saturday October 17, 2026
The Penn State Nittany Lions will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Saturday afternoon for a Big Ten matchup against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM, with television coverage expected on CBS. Penn State enters the weekend with a 3-3 overall record on a 3 game losing streak following a 31-23 loss against USC. The Nittany Lions have struggled to find consistency in conference play and will look to get things moving in the right direction. Michigan comes into this matchup looking to bounce back from a rough start, currently 3-2 on the year, riding a 2-game skid after a point road loss to Minnesota in their last outing. The Wolverines are listed as a 6-point favorite, with the total set at 44.5 points. Michigan is -226 on the moneyline, while Penn State comes in at +181. Keep up with all the action through our College Football Picks.
Penn State looks for the conference win
Rocco Becht leads the Penn State offense this season with 1,397 yards and 11 scores on 104 completions, plus 52 yards and one touchdown on 37 carries. James Peoples leads the Penn State backfield with 232 yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries. Carson Hansen is second on the team with 227 yards and three scores on 57 carries. Chase Sowell leads Penn State this season with 359 yards and two touchdowns on 23 grabs, and Koby Howard has added 344 yards and two touchdowns on 12 catches. Benjamin Brahmer has added 17 catches for 182 yards and three scores this year.
The Penn State offense did move the ball well in their last outing, scoring 23 points on 357 total yards, but converted 2 of 12 on 3rd down and turned the ball over one time in the loss. Defensively, Penn State was severely outmatched, giving up 31 points on 430 yards. Rocco Becht led Penn State in their last outing, completing 21 passes for 289 yards and one score, and ran the ball 10 times for 20 yards. Carson Hansen led the way on the ground for Penn State with 28 yards and one score on 14 carries. Chase Sowell was the top receiver on the team with 95 yards and four receptions. Andrew Rappleyea added 63 yards and one score on 7 grabs.
Michigan tries to end their skid
The Michigan offense was atrocious last week, scoring just 14 points, including none in the second half, on 180 total yards after turning the ball over three times. Defensively, Michigan was outmatched, giving up 20 points, including thirteen in the second half, on 262 total yards. Bryce Underwood led the way for the Michigan offense last week, completing 10 passes for 101 yards and ran the ball 10 times for 20 yards. Jordan Marshall was the top ball carrier on the team with 50 yards and one score on 10 carries. JJ Buchanan led all Michigan receivers with 50 yards on 4 receptions.
Bryce Underwood is leading the Michigan offense this season with 881 yards and five touchdowns on 67 completions, along with 212 yards and two scores on 57 carries. Jordan Marshall is the top ball carrier on the team with 244 yards and three scores on 55 carries, and Savion Hiter has added 145 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries. JJ Buchanan leads all Michigan receivers with 446 yards and four scores on 24 grabs. Andrew Marsh is second on the team with 268 yards and one touchdown on 25 catches.
Penn State vs Michigan Picks and Prediction
Pick: Michigan Wolverines -6.5
Michigan will look to end its two-game losing streak Saturday afternoon when the Wolverines welcome Penn State to Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have struggled offensively, averaging just 23 points per game, but their defense has been one of the best in college football. Michigan is allowing just 15.8 points and 241.4 yards per game. Linebacker Troy Bowles leads the Wolverines with 40 tackles, while John Henry Daley has recorded three sacks. Penn State has dropped three consecutive games, scoring just 56 combined points during that stretch, and could have difficulty moving the football against Michigan's defense. The Wolverines will need quarterback Bryce Underwood to protect the football after throwing four interceptions through five games. Michigan should also benefit from playing at home against a Penn State team that has struggled to finish games. The Wolverines have the defensive advantage needed to limit the Nittany Lions' scoring opportunities and secure the win and cover.
Pick: Under 42.5
Scoring could be difficult to come by Saturday afternoon when Penn State and Michigan meet in a matchup featuring two defenses allowing fewer than 19 points per game. The Wolverines are stout defensively, and their defensive front should make things difficult for Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht. The Nittany Lions have struggled offensively during their three-game losing streak, scoring 20 points against Wisconsin, 13 against Northwestern, and 23 against USC. Michigan has experienced similar offensive difficulties, managing just 19 points against Iowa and 14 against Minnesota. Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas has been productive defensively with four sacks, and the Nittany Lions should be able to put pressure on Bryce Underwood. With both offenses struggling to produce consistent scoring drives and both relying heavily on their defense, expect a physical contest with limited explosive plays. Take the under Saturday afternoon.