The Penn State Nittany Lions were ranked No. 13 in the first BCS Standings that came out on Sunday and are looking to climb those rankings. For that to happen, the Nittany Lions will have to travel to Michigan and beat the Wolverines in Michigan Stadium, a place they have not won in since 1996, a span of five games.

The Wolverines actually won nine straight games in this rivalry until Penn State beat Michigan 46-17 in Beaver Stadium last year.

Penn State (6-1, 2-1) has been terrific on defense this year and will need to be on Saturday to slow the Wolverines offense. Penn State shut out Minnesota last week and has only allowed 8.7 points per game. Michigan though, is averaging 37.3 points per game. Something will have to give one way or the other.

Michigan (5-2, 1-2) has been gobbling yards up on the ground this year, as they average 235 rushing yards per game. Penn State’s run defense has been nothing short of great, as they only allow 75.4 yards per game and 2.5 yards per carry.

Sean Lee, Navarro Bowman, Josh Hull, Jared Ordick, Ollie Ogbu, and company will have their hands full on Saturday. Carlos Brown has rushed 44 times for 336 yards and three touchdowns to go along with Brandon Minor who has rushed 57 times for 274 yards and four touchdowns. Backup QB Denard Robinson has seen his share of reps and has 46 rushes for 273 yards and five touchdowns.

Through the air, true freshman QB Tate Forcier has been impressive and shows the knack to play well late in games. He has 1,027 yards, with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. He will have his hands full with a Penn State secondary which has played well and is allowing 163.4 yards per game.

For the Nittany Lions on offense, they will be most likely be leaning heavily on Evan Royster. Fellow RB Stephfon Green injured his ankle against Minnesota and likely will not be able to play. That means Royster, who has 641 yards and 5.8 yards per carry will be backed up by Brandon Beachum. That is because Brent Carter, the third string RB is likely out as well with a knee injury sustained at Illinois.

Without a healthy backfield QB Daryll Clark will be asked to have a big game against a Michigan secondary that allows 232.9 yards per game. Clark has thrown for 1,654 yards and has 13 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions.

Derek Moye has become the Nittany Lions number one threat at receiver, as he leads the team with 27 receptions, 472 yards, four touchdowns, and 17.5 yards per reception. Chaz Powell, Graham Zug, and Andrew Quarless all have 21 receptions on the season.

CB Donovan Warren will likely matchup with Moye most of the day. Warren leads the Big Ten with 10 pass breakups and is second with three interceptions.

This should be a tight game and with the lack of luck and sometimes questionable officiating that Penn State faces in the Big House I would expect to expect the unexpected in this contest. Can Penn State get the monkey off their back on the road against Rich Rodriguez’s Wolverines or will the trend that has been in place since 1996 continue?