No. 2 Penn State Awaiting Challenge From No. 19 Michigan

Penn State entered the 2017 football season as one of the favorites to contend for the Big Ten title, and nothing the Nittany Lions have done thus far has changed that outlook. PSU has ascended to No. 2 in the national rankings, winning all but one of its six games in dominating fashion.

The first real test of the season comes this Saturday night in Beaver Stadium when No. 19 Michigan arrives, fresh off an overtime victory against Indiana. The Wolverines struggled a bit offensively, but showed heart and determination when it was most needed, and lived to fight another day.

Penn State's Shareef Miller has been a defensive force in 2017 (exploreClarion.com)

The Wolverines will be walking into a hostile atmosphere, which makes Penn State coach James Franklin smile from ear to ear.

"We're excited," Franklin said. "Obviously it's going to be a great environment. I think people realize the only thing I like more than Christmas is a white-out football game. I'm jacked up like I am every year because the environment is special. I think Beaver Stadium on a normal game day is a top-five atmosphere. I think a white-out game day is something I think you don't really understand unless you can come experience it for yourself. I love standing at that tunnel, feeling the energy and electricity in the stadium, then running out. After that, you really don't kind of realize it again until the game's over."

Many fans know Penn State (6-0, 3-0) because of talented running back Saquon Barkley, but its the Nittany Lions' defense that is making headlines.

Penn State leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing just nine points per game, and is in the top 10 against the pass and in total defense. PSU has been able to wreak havoc up front, with Shareef Miller and Shaka Toney combining for 12 tackles for loss, which has given the secondary the ability to play freely. Penn State has nine interceptions, with junior cornerback Amani Oruwariye leading the way with three, and is second nationally in turnover margin.

Even though Michigan (5-1, 2-1) has struggled on offense for the bulk of the season, Franklin doesn't believe this will be an easy night for his defense.

"Offensively they're what I would describe as a traditional Big Ten offense, where they're going to try to run the ball down your throat, play-action pass," he said. "Very talented, very skilled. Obviously Mason Cole, feels like he's been playing there forever. I think is going to end up being a high draft choice, offensive lineman for them.

"Expect a lot of gap schemes, power, counter, things like that. But they're a traditional Big Ten offense. It's going to be a challenge. I think we all know Coach (Jim) Harbaugh runs the offense for them."

Barkley is the the straw that stirs the drink for the Nittany Lions, leading the nation in all-purpose yardage and scoring nine total touchdowns. Even if Michigan is successful at keeping him relatively contained, there are so many ways Penn State can utilize him that it is often a frustrating endeavor.

“He can catch the ball out of the backfield; he can run all the assortment of runs inside the tackles, on the edge; very good pass protector," Harbaugh said. "Can be used as a multi-purpose back that can do everything well.

"It'll take a team effort to go against a great player (in Barkley). But also a really outstanding offense with a really good quarterback, great receivers, line, backs -- they're hitting on all cylinders."

Michigan's offense has been a concern, ranking 87th nationally in total offense and 117th in converting on third down. The Wolverines will have to put some sustained drives together if they want to keep Barkley and company off the field.

“We want no turnovers, we want no sacks, no penalties, no missed assignments," Harbaugh said. "You’re striving for that perfection. Rarely do you get to perfection. We want to be excellent. That’s where our goals are.

“Very good defense. Don’t see a lot of big plays right now. Don’t see them giving up a lot of big plays in the running game or the passing game, which means they’re really sound. You can already see really good players in the front seven and in the secondary. They get to the ball, they close up gaps, and they’re rarely out of position. Still looking. Still looking to where the best way is to attack this defense and move the ball and score points.”

There are no such concerns about the Wolverines stop unit, however.

Michigan linebacker Devin Bush has been all over the field this season (MLive.com)

Michigan leads the nation in total defense and is allowing just 3.68 yards per play, and is top five against both the run and the pass. The Wolverines have won the last three meetings, holding Penn State to 16 points or less in all three.

It will be up to coordinator Don Brown to decide when to blitz, and when he thinks he can get there with just four. Brown loves to bring pressure, and in Maurice Hurst (7 TFL) and Rashan Gary (5 TFL) he has two of the best defensive linemen in the nation. But it isn't just those two. Chase Winovich leads the team in sacks with 5.5, and sophomore linebacker Devin Bush has had a breakout campaign, with 4.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. So it is definitely a team effort with the Wolverines.

Michigan has a chance to silence the naysayers, the people who say it isn't quite where it needs to be. Playing on a stage this big stage has energized Harbaugh and his players.

“Yeah, I’m excited about it and if you talk to the players about how they feel, I feel like they would feel the same way," he said. "Excited for the opportunity. They’ve been on the big stage already this year multiple times in big games and having another crack at this, knowing our guys the way I do, they’re competitors, so feel they’d be excited.”

Penn State knows that it is all right there, a chance to put another impressive notch in its belt over a brand-name opponent. The high national ranking and spotlight isn't changing the way Penn State prepares.

“For me, it hasn’t really felt any different,” Franklin said. “This is my first time, as a head coach, as a player, as an assistant, that I’ve been ranked this high. I wake up in the morning still feeling like there’s still a lot of areas we have improve, a lot of different things we can work on. I’ve got tremendous respect for our opponent, Michigan, so we spending all week kinda focused on that.”