Penn State’s trip to Michigan puts the spotlight where this matchup could be won or lost: in the trenches.
The Nittany Lions have struggled to generate heat on opposing quarterbacks through six games. They’ve managed only eight sacks, and just two of those have come from the edge rushers.
That’s a problem heading into Saturday, because Michigan has shown it can make life miserable for passers. The Wolverines have already piled up 12 sacks and 16 quarterback hurries, a sign their front is affecting plays before they fully develop.
Penn State’s offense also has a few pieces worth tracking, starting with quarterback Rocco Becht (3). He threw for 289 yards and a touchdown in last Saturday’s loss to USC, and the Lions may want to get veteran tight end Ben Brahmer (18) more involved against Michigan.
On the other side, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) brings a different kind of stress. He’s dangerous as a runner, with two rushing touchdowns and a long gain of 38.
As a passer, though, he’s still a work in progress. Underwood has thrown five touchdown passes and been intercepted four times.
The ground game gives each team its own questions. Penn State has one 100-yard performance this season, and that came from Quinton Martin, who remains a fan favorite. Even so, head coach Matt Campbell and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser have continued leaning on Carson Hansen (21) and James Peoples (1), and neither has ripped off a run longer than 20 yards.
Michigan’s rushing attack will feature Jordan Marshall (23), who ran for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025. He’s averaging 4.4 yards per carry this season and has scored three times. Underwood is part of the run threat too, but Marshall remains the featured back.
Up front on defense, Penn State hasn’t been disruptive enough lately. The Lions’ tackle rotation of Keanu Williams (99), Siale Taupaki (92) and Armstrong Nnodim (91) didn’t do enough to bother USC or Northwestern in recent losses. Yvan Kemajou (19) has been one of the brighter spots there, posting 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and four quarterback hurries.
Michigan’s edge presence could create the biggest headache for Penn State’s offensive line. John Henry Daley (90) has 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a quarterback hurry. The first-team All-American from Utah last year was also named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week earlier this season after his performance against Oklahoma, when he had three tackles for loss and a sack.
At the rest of the positions, the sides are listed as even at wideouts and tight ends, with Michigan holding the edge at linebacker and the coaching matchup also graded even.
In Other News...
Penn State Still Feels The Fallout From One Costly Decision
Penn States autumn of upheaval began with James Franklins firing on Oct. 12, 2025, after a third straight Big Ten loss, and the ripple effects have barely let up since. What followed was a 54-day coaching search that finally landed on Matt Campbell, a move meant to steady the program after a jarring midseason reset and give the Nittany Lions a clean path forward.
Instead, the broader conversation around the program has lingered on the process itself, from the pursuit of Bob Chesney and Kalani Sitake to the questions now facing athletic director Pat Kraft. Penn State did open the next season 3-0, but the subsequent losses quickly shut the door on College Football Playoff hopes, leaving the search for answers to stretch well beyond the coaching carousel and into how the decision-making unfolded in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State's Linebacker Room Just Took Another Hit
Penn States linebacker depth took another blow this week when Alex Tatsch was ruled out for the rest of the season after getting hurt in practice. Coach Matt Campbell confirmed the setback, though the exact nature of the injury is still being sorted out, leaving the Nittany Lions to keep adjusting in a spot that has already been tested.
Cam Smiths recovery offers at least a little encouragement for a room that has needed it. He is expected back soon, which gives Penn State a chance to stabilize a position group that has been thinned by injuries at a time when depth matters most. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Used White Out Weekend To Turn Up Recruiting Pressure
White Out weekend once again doubled as a recruiting showcase for Penn State, with the program bringing more than 100 prospects to campus for one of its biggest annual sales pitches. The visitor list was loaded with the majority of the 2027 class, including 18 of the 22 committed players, while several highly rated 2028 prospects also made the trip to State College.
The timing matters because the Nittany Lions are trying to keep momentum rolling well beyond the current class, which is ranked No. 20 nationally. Along with hosting the committed group, Penn State also used the event to extend offers to players in the 2028, 2029 and 2030 classes, another sign the staff was thinking as much about long-term pressure as the atmosphere inside Beaver Stadium. [Read more 🡒]