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B1G Network analyst shares why he has optimism for Penn State, Michigan in 2021

Spenser Davis

By Spenser Davis

Published:

Big Ten Network analyst Howard Griffith is high on both Penn State and Michigan heading into next season.

Griffith said in a segment on BTN on Friday that he’s especially optimistic about the Nittany Lions.

“Obviously Penn State struggled early but they were able to get things corrected and this team always played hard the entire time so I give them a lot of credit for that,” Griffith said. “They will also probably go and look internally into that locker room and I’m sure they may have found a few issues that they had there. Get some of those things corrected.

“I think this is a team that’s poised to go out and really play at a very high level.”

There’s reason to believe Penn State is benefitting from a lot of momentum this offseason. After starting out the year 0-5, PSU managed to win its final four games of the year and end the season on a high note.

Griffith also expressed a belief that Michigan will turn things around in 2021. He cited coach Jim Harbaugh’s new incentive-based contract and a brand new coaching staff as reasons for that optimism.

“I still like this Michigan team,” he said. “I think the fact of the matter is you’re hearing, ‘incentive-laden contract’ for a head coach, something you’ve never heard. Usually you just hear about that in professional athletes’ contract. Give coach (Jim) Harbaugh a lot of credit for taking a contract like that. He’s also shaken up his coaching staff to try to get things turned around.

“Listen there are players on this team, in this program that are ready to take the next step. They just have to do a much better job of developing them. Now that they have some new voices in the building, hopefully they’ll get to that point.”

Both Michigan and Penn State have manageable schedules in 2021, although the Wolverines’ slate gets tougher in the second half of the season.

These two teams will face each other on Nov. 13.

Here’s Griffith’s entire segment:

 

Spenser Davis

Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.