Preview: #13 Penn State (6-1, 2-1) vs. Michigan (5-2, 1-2)

October 23, 2:58 AMPenn State Nittany Lions Football ExaminerKevin McGuire

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Daryll Clark may have to handle pressure early on against Michigan.
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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What to Know

• WHEN: October 24, 2009
  WHERE: Michigan Stadium (106,201)
  KICKOFF: 3:30 pm EST
  TV: ABC/ESPN
  RADIO: PSU Sports Network (over 60 stations)
  WEB STREAM: www.GoPSUSports.com
• Series: Michigan leads 10-4
• Last meeting: Penn State 46, Michigan 17
  (2008)
• Last Week: PSU 20, Minnesota 0
  Michigan 63, Delaware State 6
• Game notes: PSU | Michigan
  
• 2009 Penn State preview: Michigan
  
• Big Ten Examiner Round Table
  
• Previewing Michigan with The Wolverine Blog
• Nittany White Out: Behind Enemy Lines
• The Wolverine Blog: Fraternizing with the Enemy
• Penn State hopes to party like it's 1996
• Examiner Top 25
• Weather Forecast
• Twitter
   

It's back on the road this weekend for the Nittany Lions as they look to leave Ann Arbor with the program's first victory since 1996. Penn State (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) is also looking to keep their Big Ten championship dreams alive. A win on the road against Michigan (5-2, 1-2) is one of the last major hurdles in the 2009 regular season schedule, or so it may seem.

After a dramatic down year for the Wolverines in 2008, head coach Rich Rodriguez appears to have things starting to come together for him. In his second season as Michigan's head coach Rodriguez is 8-11 overall but has already passed last season's win total this season. Michigan is now one win away from becoming bowl eligible (six wins are required in most situations) and Michigan Stadium has been the reason why. Each of Michigan's five wins this season have come in Michigan Stadium. This weekend fans will carry out their final Maize Out, in which fans will be encouraged to wear the shade of yellow, similar to the Penn State White Outs held once a season.

Michigan has racked up some impressive stats but the defense has let the Wolverines down many times. Opponents have scored more at least 30 points against Michigan three times this season. Two of those games were still victories for Michigan, albeit close calls against Indiana and Notre Dame. Michigan is coming off a thrashing of FCS Delaware State (63-6) in which the Wolverines totaled 727 yards of offense.

Michigan has a number of youthful players that are starting to come together on the offense. Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier has passed for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns but has turned the ball over in some critical situations. Forcier started the season on a high note, leading Michigan to late rallies against Notre Dame and Michigan State, but has shown some questionable decision making at times. This should be expected though from a freshman quarterback. Should Forcier run into some trouble Rodriguez could opt to go with another freshman quarterback, Denard Robinson. Robinson has seen limited game time but has passed a pair of touchdowns and has shown off his mobility to the tune of 273 rushing yards and an average of 5.8 yards per carry, or scramble. Robinson leads the team in rushing touchdowns with five.

When the quarterbacks are not running the Wolverines use a number of players out of the backfield. Brandon Minor is the most recognizable name to Penn State fans. Minor though finds himself second on the team in rushing touchdowns (four) and rushing yards (274 - behind senior Carlos Brown). Minor has been hampered by some nagging injuries this season and may not be 100% for Saturday.

Penn State will have their own injury problems at running back. Joe Paterno said on his weekly radio show that Stephfon Green will not travel with the team due to an ankle injury. Green left last week's game against Minnesota with the injury and his status for next week will be re-evaluated after this weekend. Penn State will use Brandon Beachum as the primary back-up to Evan Royster and Brent Carter will fill the third spot.

The key to the game for Penn State may once again be the play of the offensive line. After stringing together a couple decent outings against Illinois and Eastern Illinois, some weaknesses popped up against Minnesota. The line had some early troubles in protecting Daryll Clark and creating running lanes, but they seemed to make adjustments and were able to rebound to have a solid game. The Michigan defensive line seems to be a little quicker than Minnesota though and if Michigan can apply some early pressure on Clark, it could set the tone for the game.

Sean Lee could see more playing time this week. Against Minnesota Lee was limited in plays, coming in mostly on third downs. With the unfavorable playing conditions last week in State College, it was likely that Lee would not see many plays. With a better forecast for Ann Arbor on Saturday, expect to see more of Lee.

Michigan is the first stop on a two week road trip for Penn State. Next week they travel to Evanston, Illinois to take on Northwestern before returning home for a game against Ohio State.

Penn State enters this game ranked #13 in the BCS rankings, which from this point on will be the only ranking referenced in the game previews and recaps. Michigan is not ranked.

For my video analysis and official prediction, watch the video below...

Here is the ABC coverage map for the game so you can see if the game will be carried in your region. Penn State-Michigan is colored yellow for ABC, and will be shown on ESPN in the green shaded areas.

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