Who's for real, Penn State or Michigan? How to watch, what to know in Top 10 showdown
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Penn State's offensive line may well determine whether it will remain undefeated on Saturday.
The Nittany Lions' improved blockers will face their toughest yet against No. 4 Michigan in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines defense leads the Big Ten with 22 sacks through six games, and just produced seven in a victory at Indiana.
While the pressure comes from all over, edge rushers Jaylen Harrell and Mike Morris have been the toughest to handle. They get in the backfield a lot − combining for 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Can Penn State protect quarterback Sean Clifford?
To do that, Penn State must receive big efforts from tackles Olu Fashanu and Caedan Wallace. Fashanu has been a revelation as a first-time starter on the left side while Wallace, a vet, has struggled at times on the right. He has shared the position, of late, with backup Bryce Effner.
Looking for a difference-maker? The Lions could be helped by the improved blocking of junior tight end Brenton Strange. He must step up again.
They all must do a better job than in last year's match-up at Beaver Stadium, where ends Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo led a seven-sack dismantling of Clifford and the Nittany Lion offense.
What time does Penn State play Michigan?
The Nittany Lions and Wolverines will kick off at noon Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
What TV channel for Penn State vs. Michigan?
The game will be broadcast on FOX Sports.
How can I watch Penn State vs. Michigan online via live stream?
Check out fuboTV for a free trial.
What are the odds for Penn State vs. Michigan?
Michigan is favored by 7.5 points. The over/under is 51.5 points, according to Tipico Sportsbook.
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Game day details
TV: Gus Johnson will handle play-by-play with Joel Klatt on color commentary. Jenny Taft will report from the sideline.
Radio: WSBA 910 AM, WGLD 1440 AM
Listen online:Penn State Sports Online Audio
Weather: Increasing clouds and breezy for the afternoon, a high temperature near 60 degrees. A slight chance of a rain shower.
Rankings: Michigan (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) is No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 5 in the Associated Press poll. Penn State is No. 10 in both polls.
Series: Michigan leads the series 15-10, but the teams have split the last 14 matchups. Michigan rallied for a 21-17 victory in Beaver Stadium last year, on the way to its first College Football Playoff appearance.
It's been 26 years: Penn State has forced 11 turnovers in the last three games − the most in any three-game stretch since 1996.
No one better: Barney Armor has placed 14 of his 23 punts inside the 20 yard line (61 percent) and 12 inside the 10 (52 percent). He leads the nation in both percentages and total punts inside the 10.
He's got the numbers: Sixth-year QB Sean Clifford is Penn State's all-time in completion percentage (.606), while ranking second in passing touchdowns (71) and passing yards (8,869). He's third in rushing yards by a quarterback (964).
Penn State
Head coach: James Franklin (72-34, 9th season at Penn State; 96-49, 12th season overall)
Last three seasons
2021: 7-6 (4-5 Big Ten)
2020: 4-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
2019: 11-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
2022 schedule
9/1 at Purdue, W, 35-31
9/10 OHIO UNIVERSITY, W, 46-10
9/17 at Auburn, W, 42-13
9/24 CENTRAL MICHIGAN, W, 33-14
10/1 NORTHWESTERN, W, 17-7
10/15 at Michigan
10/22 MINNESOTA, 7:30 p.m.
10/29 OHIO STATE
11/5 at Indiana
11/12 MARYLAND
11/19 at Rutgers
11/26 MICHIGAN STATE
Top Penn State performers
Jr. WR Parker Washington (20 receptions, 285 yards, 57 ypg.; 9 punt returns, 78 yards)
Jr. TE Brenton Strange (15 receptions, 231 yards, 46.2 ypg., 4 TDs)
Fr. RB Nick Singleton (63 carries, 463 yards, 7.3 ypc., 5 TDs; 7 kickoff returns, 153 yards, 21.9 avg.)
FR. RB Kaytron Allen (57 carries, 303 yards, 5.3 ypc., 3 TDs)
Sr. QB Sean Clifford (85-of-137 passing, 62%, 1,030 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs)
Fr. LB Abdul Carter (18 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1.0 sack, 2 pass breakups, forced fumble)
Sr. S Ji'Ayir Brown (25 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1.0 sack, 2 INTs, forced fumble)
Jr. CB Joey Porter, Jr. (17 tackles, 10 pass breakups, fumble recovery)
So. CB Kalen King (10 tackles, 9 pass breakups, forced fumble, fumble recovery)
More recent PSU coverage
Penn State's unsung hero: How PJ Mustipher can make all the difference
Future Penn State stars? How J'ven Williams, Joey Schlaffer team up
Penn State has a crazy-good punting star, with a story to match
'The best we've had here. Ever.' How Joey Porter, Jr. leads Penn State
Michigan
Head coach: Jim Harbaugh (67-24, 8th season at Michigan; 96-45, 12th season overall)
Last three seasons
2021 record: 12-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
2020 record: 2-4 (2-4 Big Ten)
2019 record: 9-4 (6-3 Big Ten)
2022 schedule
9/3 COLORADO STATE, W, 51-7
9/10 HAWAII, W, 56-10
9/17 CONNECTICUT, W, 59-0
9/24 MARYLAND, W, 34-27
10/1 at Iowa, W, 27-14
10/8 at Indiana, W, 31-10
10/15 PENN STATE
10/29 MICHIGAN STATE
11/5 at Rutgers
11/12 NEBRASKA
11/19 ILLINOIS
11/26 at Ohio State
Top Michigan performers
Sr. WR Ronnie Bell (30 receptions, 390 yards, 65 ypg., TD)
Jr. WR A.J. Henning (6 receptions, 60 yards; 16 punt returns, 165 yards, 10.3 avg., TD; 3 kickoff returns, 58 yards)
Sr. TE Luke Schoonmaker (23 receptions, 229 yards, 38.2 avg., 2 TDs)
Jr. RB Blake Corum (118 carries, 735 yards, 6.2 avg., 11 TDs; 11 receptions, 109 yards, TD)
So. QB J.J. McCarthy (94-of-120 passing, 78.3%, 1,152 yards, 9 TDs, INT; 21 carries, 90 yards, 4.3 avg., TD)
So. LB Junior Colson (44 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack)
Sr. DE Mike Morris (11 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, 3 QB hits, forced fumble, blocked kick)
Jr. DE Jaylen Harrell (15 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 4 QB hits)
Sr. CB Mike Sainristil (23 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 3 pass breakups, fumble recovery, forced fumble)
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on Twitter @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football: Michigan, Jim Harbaugh vs. Nittany Lions, Big Ten
