The talk all year around Michigan — on the playing field — has been dominance, with an asterisk. The asterisk being that the Wolverines have not faced a relevant team this year.
That changes on Saturday. The No. 3 Wolverines will head on the road to face their toughest test of the season, playing against No. 10 Penn State. And after last night’s decision by the Big Ten, they will have to do it without their head coach on the sideline, after the Big Ten said coach Jim Harbaugh could not be on the sideline for the remainder of the regular season.
Without Harbaugh coaching for Michigan, this will be a golden opportunity for Penn State to change the narrative surrounding the program. With Drew Allar, a dynamic defense and a talented duo of running backs, Penn State was supposed to be in the mix for the Big Ten East. However, the Nittany Lions fell to Ohio State earlier this season in a game many expected them to win, dropping James Franklin’s record to 3-16 against top-10 teams.
MORE: Watch Michigan vs. Penn State live with Fubo (free trial)
This game figures to be a low-scoring affair, with Michigan ranking No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense and first in total yardage allowed, while Penn State ranks second and third in those two categories, respectively. Michigan is fifth in scoring offense while Penn State is sixth, but the Nittany Lions also struggled against the Buckeyes in their toughest test of the season, netting their first third-down conversion on the final drive of the game and losing 20-12.
The Sporting News is tracking live scores and highlights from Saturday’s game between Michigan and Penn State. Follow for updates throughout the game.
Michigan vs. Penn State score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Michigan | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| Penn State | 0 | – | – | – | – |
Michigan vs. Penn State live updates, results, highlights from Week 11 game
(All times Eastern)
First quarter
12:16 p.m.: Michigan will start its drive at its own 30.
12:15 p.m.: Penn State goes a quick three-and-out, as Nicholas Singleton is brought down for a gain of just a yard, then after Drew Allar is forced to uncork a quick throw on second facing pressure from Michael Barrett, then misses Keandre Lambert-Smith on a slant.
12:10 p.m.: Another moderate gain on second down of three by Corum, but on third-and-9, McCarthy is brought down 10 yards after he tried to scramble left behind the line of scrimmage for a sack by Dani Dennis-Sutton. Michigan punts to the Penn State 26, where it’s fair caught by Daequan Hardy.
SACKED
The @PennStateFball defense shuts down Michigan on the opening drive 🔒 pic.twitter.com/YbURtM5oW1
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 11, 2023
12:09 p.m.: Corum picks up four yards, but before the second-down play, Michigan is called for a false start to bring up another second-and-long.
12:07 p.m.: Blake Corum is stopped at the line of scrimmage to start the game, but J.J. McCarthy finds AJ Barner for 12 yards to the Michigan 37 to move the chains.
12:06 p.m.: Michigan takes the touchback to start at the 25.
12:03 p.m.: Penn State won the toss and deferred for the second half. Michigan will start the game on offense.
12:02 p.m.: Penn State has taken the field. Just about time for a pivotal Big Ten clash that will have major ramifications for the conference in 2023.
Here comes @PennStateFball 😤 pic.twitter.com/77AozSG9If
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 11, 2023
11:56 a.m.: Think former Michigan Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson is fired up over the suspension? He made it clear how frustrated he is by the whole saga during “Big Noon Kickoff.”
Charles Woodson was asked if he was upset about the ongoing Michigan saga as a “Michigan man.”
“Am I mad? I’m only mad because I think the whole thing is bullshit.” pic.twitter.com/hlf8RVpyq0
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 11, 2023
11:43 a.m.: Before the game, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel issued a strong statement on the Big Ten’s suspension of Harbaugh. He said while the program has been disappointed to hear about the allegations, it also feels that the conference skipped due process of a complete investigation in suspending Harbaugh on Friday.
Manuel described the suspension as “completely unethical” and “an assault on the rights of everyone (especially in the Big Ten) to be judged by a fair and complete investigation.”
“All of the Head Coaches in the Big Ten (some who have been accused of actively participating in the trading of signals of opponents) and my Big Ten AD colleagues can rejoice today that someone was ‘held accountable,’ but they should be worried about the new standard of judgment (without complete investigation) that has been unleashed in this conference,” Manuel said.
Statement from Michigan AD Warde Manuel. “I find that completely unethical, insulting to a well-established process within the NCAA, and an assault on the rights of everyone (especially in the Big Ten) to be judged by a fair and complete investigation.” pic.twitter.com/Qm9iehYVTR
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 11, 2023
11 a.m.: Harbaugh will not be coaching on Saturday against Penn State. Instead, his hearing will be held at 9 a.m. ET on Friday, which will determine whether his suspension will continue against Maryland on Saturday and Ohio State in the final week of the regular season, or if it will be on hold until further notice.
10 a.m.: ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported it’s unclear Jim Harbaugh will be granted a hearing in time to be able to coach against Penn State. With kickoff scheduled for noon ET, Thamel said “the drama’s going to go right up ’till noon.”
Latest from @CollegeGameDay on Jim Harbaugh’s TRO legal filing. Will he coach Michigan at Penn State today? pic.twitter.com/bz3R1eYxI9
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 11, 2023
The case is reportedly in the hands of Judge Carol Kunhke, a Michigan alumnus.
Harbaugh was not on the Michigan team bus with other coaches and players when it arrived at Beaver Stadium Saturday morning.
Michigan players and coaches arrive. No Jim Harbaugh on the bus. pic.twitter.com/wnGzqAxwcp
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 11, 2023
Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore will serve as acting head coach if Harbaugh is not available.
Michigan vs. Penn State start time
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 11
- Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET
The game will kickoff at noon ET from Beaver Stadium in State College, Penn.
What channel is Michigan vs. Penn State on today?
- TV channel (national): Fox
- Live stream: Fox Sports app, Fubo
This high-stakes Big Ten clash is getting the “Big Noon Kickoff” treatment on Fox, with Gus Johnson handling play-by-play, Joel Klatt providing analysis and Jenny Taft reporting from the sideline.
Those hoping to stream the game can find it on the Fox Sports app, with a cable subscription. Fubo, which offers a free trial, will also carry Fox’s coverage of the game.
