Penn State-Michigan Preview: Saquon Barkley leads payback-minded Nittany Lions
The second-ranked Nittany Lions and the 19th-ranked Wolverines meet Saturday night in a Beaver Stadium "White Out."
Second-ranked Penn State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) is favored over No. 19 Michigan (5-1, 2-1) in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Beaver Stadium in State College.
The Nittany Lions suffered an embarrassing 49-10 loss the last time they played the Wolverines almost 13 months ago in Ann Arbor. Since then, they are 15-1 and have won a Big Ten championship. The key for the Penn State offense is Heisman Trophy frontrunner Saquon Barkley, who leads the FBS in all-purpose yards but has rushed for just 131 yards and a 3.6-yard average per carry in the last two games. The Michigan defense, led by linebacker Devin Bush, is first in the nation in total yards allowed at 223.8 per game and sixth against the rush (85.8 yards per game). The defense of Penn State leads the nation in scoring defense (9.0 points per game) but must slow down the Wolverines' ground game led by Karon Higdon, who rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns last week.
How to follow and watch the game
TV: 6ABC
RADIO: 990-AM, WNTP; 1440-AM, WNPV
Twitter: @joejulesinq, @jensenoffcampus, @_jillbeckman
Coaches
Penn State, James Franklin (4th season, 31-15; overall, 55-30).
Michigan, Jim Harbaugh (3rd season, 25-7; overall 83-34).
Key players
Penn State: RB Saquon Barkley, 5-11, 230, Jr. (649 yards rushing, 6.4-yard average per carry, 29 receptions for 395 yards, 32.3-yard average on kickoff returns, 217.0-yard average in all-purpose yardage, 9 total TDs); QB Trace McSorley, 6-0, 195, R-Jr. (67.0 percent completion rate, 1,597 yards, 13 TDs, 4 interceptions, 4 TDs rushing); WR Juwan Johnson, 6-4, 226, R-So. (22 receptions, 303 yards, 1 TD); WR DaeSean Hamilton, 6-1, 206, R-Sr. (22 receptions, 366 yards, 4 TDs); TE Mike Gesicki, 6-6, 250, Sr. (22 catches, 176 yards, 4 TDs); FS Marcus Allen, 6-2, 207, Sr. (35 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 interception); LB Jason Cabinda, 6-1, 234, Sr. (40 tackles); DE Shareef Miller, 6-5, 257, R-So. (6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks).
Michigan: RB Ty Isaac, 6-3, 228, R-Sr. (403 yards rushing, 5.9-yard average per carry, 1 TD); RB Karon Higdon, 5-10, 190, Jr. (401 yards rushing, 5.7-yard average per carry, 5 TDs); QB John O'Korn, 6-4, 211, R-Sr. (54.9 percent completion rate, 563 yards, 1 TD, 4 interceptions); WR Grant Perry, 6-0, 191, Jr. (18 receptions, 224 yards, 1 TD); LB Devin Bush, 5-11, 222, So. (49 tackles, 5 ½ tackles for loss, 4 ½ sacks); DT Maurice Hurst, 6-2, 280, R-Sr. (7 tackles for loss); DE Rashan Gary, 6-5, 281, So. (5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks); DE Chase Winovich, 6-3, 253, Sr. (39 tackles, 7 ½ tackles for loss, 5 ½ sacks); K Quinn Nordin, 6-1, 195, So. (14-16 field goals, long 55).
Head to head
Michigan holds a 13-7 advantage. The Wolverines won last year's meeting, 49-10, on Sept. 24 in Ann Arbor, outgaining Penn State 515-191.
Penn State’s upcoming games
Saturday, Oct. 28 at Ohio State, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 4 at Michigan State, TBD
Saturday, Nov. 11 Rutgers, noon
Saturday, Nov. 18 Nebraska, TBD
Saturday, Nov. 25 at Maryland, TBD