Michigan Wolverines-Penn State Nittany Lions Preview

Time: 3:30 EST
Location: Big House
TV: ABC
Weather : Cloudy 45 degrees with rain expected at 6:00
Line: Michigan +4


With Michigan sitting at 5-2 some fans have forget what the goal of the 2010 season is; go to a bowl game. With a win on Saturday, Michigan would have its 6th win which equals bowl eligibility. That should be enough motivation for the Wolverines on Saturday, but they really don't need any extra motivation because this is Penn State week.

Penn State comes into A2 as the No. 13 ranked team in the country with the top ranked scoring defense in the country (tied with Florida at 8.7 a game) and an offense that has averaged 510 yards the last three games. So Michigan will have it's hands full on Saturday if they plan on getting #6.


The Big House of Horrors:

JoPa and Penn State hasn't won at the Big House since 1996 going 0-5 over that time period. Most games have been close, even losing one on a last second pass from Henne to Manningham. (I wonder what those two are up to these days?). In fact, Michigan had won nine games in a row against PSU until they beat the Wolverines in Happy Valley last year.


Cupcake City Baby!

Penn State is 6-1 coming into Saturday's match up and their schedule so far in 2009 has been sponsored by Hostess. PSU has played one quality team (Iowa), which they lost. Michigan is coming off it's top cupcake game of the year last week against Delaware State where they ran up 727 total yards on offense.


What to look for on Saturday:

Who can run the ball? Both Brandon Minor and Evan Royster had big games on the ground last year.

Which QB's will excel? Michigan will play two freshman nick-named FedEX for the way they deliver: Tate in the Air and Denard on the ground. Both are healthy and ready for a special Saturday delivery. PSU has an athletic QB Daryll Clark who lead the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten Title last year.

Who is too fat from the Cupcakes? I think we know more about the young Wolverines coming off their 63-3 win last Saturday but do we know enough about Penn State? They did shut out the Golden Gophers last Saturday in Happy Valley 20-0 but hasn't face an offense ranked higher then 75th nationally.

This will be a tough games on both sides of the ball. The Michigan defense is better then they were just eight weeks ago. Penn State might not have played anyone yet, but is still a powerful team on both sides of the ball.

Michigan will get a lift from having its center, David Molk, back and it seems former starting cornerback Boubacar Cissoko might be back from his suspension and dress/play on Saturday. Penn State will be with out it's back up running back Stephfon Greenand and what is the status of Minor's ankle is still up in the air. Either way, this will be a hard hitting game and one not to be missed.

Get another "cold one" if:

Tate and Denard can't move the ball on the Lions' defense.

The Fed Ex Duo continue to deliver to the wrong address (picks and fumbles).

The Michigan defense lets Clark run around for a ton of first downs.

Michigan's defense finds itself in third and 20.

JoPa announces his retirement before the start of the game.

Sing "Hail to the Victors" if:

Brandon Graham introduces himself to Darryl Clark many times.

Michigan can stop the run.

Brandon Minor runs like he did last year in Happy Valley.

RR and the offensive staff have a good/new offensive game plan.

Michigan goes 200/200 in the air and on the ground.

The Michigan defense will go with a similar game plan as they did for Michigan State. Stop the run and pressure the pass. The mistake they made in that game was letting the State QB's run from pressure. Clark will eat Michigan's lunch if he gets loose and runs the ball. Look for Stevie Brown to spy on Clark, if Stevie blitzes he better get the sack.

Vegas has Penn State favored by four, which seems like the proper line. This game will show which team is ready for prime time and which needs more desserts. Michigan 28 Penn State 24

GO BLUE!