GAME NOTES: In a rematch of a classic battle a year ago, the Penn State Nittany Lions play host to the fourth-ranked Michigan Wolverines with a bit of revenge on their minds. Joe Paterno's team lost a controversial game in Ann Arbor a year ago, the only loss on the season for PSU. This year, the Nittany Lions are 4-2. Penn State got its own gift last weekend, as a questionable interference call in overtime continued a drive that resulted in a one-point victory over Minnesota (28-27). It was the second straight win for Penn State, which moved to 2-1 in Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions are playing their third top-five opponent of the season, with losses against Ohio State and Notre Dame already in the books. Lloyd Carr's Wolverines are undefeated on the season and could be destined for a collision with top-ranked Ohio State in the regular season finale in Columbus. The Wolverines beat up on Michigan State last week (31-13) to move to 6-0 on the year and 3-0 in-conference. This is the 12th all-time meeting between these two programs, with Michigan holding an 8-3 advantage. The last time Michigan came to State College five years ago, the result was a 20-0 shutout victory. It marks the only time in Joe Paterno's 41 years as coach that Penn State has been shut out at home.

The Wolverines have a balanced offensive attack and that is the primary reason the team has been able to get through its schedule unscathed thus far. The team is averaging nearly 400 yards of offense per game, resulting in 33.5 ppg. The ground attack is responsible for 195.7 yards per game, while the passing game is a close second (187.3 ypg). Junior quarterback Chad Henne has certainly matured under center in 2006. He has completed 62 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,103 yards and 14 TDs. Of course, standout receiver Mario Manningham (24 catches, for 527 yards and nine TDs) has been lost following a knee injury in the last game. However, that may just allow Steve Breaston (23 catches, for 222 yards) to assume the role of primary target downfield. What makes the offense work is veteran tailback Mike Hart, who is netting 132.3 yards per game. Hart is averaging just over five yards per carry and has scored five of the team's nine rushing scores to date.

Few teams have played as tenaciously on defense as the Wolverines. In fact, no one is stopping the run better than Michigan, which leads the nation in run defense, allowing a mere 40.3 yards per game, on 1.7 yards per carry. The pass defense is a little more forgiving (210.2 ypg), but that has a lot to do with big leads that force opponents to pass early and often. Linebacker David Harris currently leads the team in tackles with 40. He is followed by fellow LB Prescott Burgess (30), who is tied for the team-lead with two interceptions. Up front it is rush ends LaMarr Woodley and Rondell Biggs that foes have to watch out for. Woodley leads the team with five sacks, while Biggs has three QB takedowns.

Penn State has no excuses on the offensive side of the football. This is a team that has far too much talent to be just average. There is great balance offensively, with the team possessing the ability to beat teams both on the ground (191.3 ypg) or through the air (215.3 ypg). However, the result has been just 25.8 ppg. Junior QB Anthony Morelli is extremely talented, but that talent level is beyond his grasp of the game at this time. He has completed 56 percent of his passes in 2006, for 1,224 yards with six TDs and five interceptions. There is a slew of talented wideouts at Morelli's disposal in Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood and Derrick Williams. Williams is perhaps the best of the bunch, but has not shown it on a consistent basis, averaging just 11.6 yards per reception with one TD. He is coming off a career-high 95 yards against Minnesota and is certainly a threat for big plays every time he touches the ball. The one offensive star who is living up to the hype is veteran workhorse Tony Hunt. The senior RB is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and is averaging 111.5 yards per game with seven rushing scores thus far.

Defensively, the Nittany Lions have played the run extremely well (79.5 ypg), resulting in teams passing the ball more (205.8 ypg). There is no question that the strength of the defense is one of the nation's premier linebacking corps. Butkus Award winner Paul Posluszny currently leads the team in tackles (50), but he has taken a back seat of sorts to fellow LBs Dan Conner (448 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks and one INT) and Sean Lee (40 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, one sack and one INT), who have elevated their games to new levels in 2006. The secondary boasts of DBs Anthony Scirrotto (26 tackles, two INTs) and Justin King (21 receptions, one INT), while lineman Jay Alford (6.5 TFLs, four sacks) and Ed Johnson (6.5 TFLs, three sacks) highlight the play up front.

The atmosphere in State College will be electric this weekend. Fans of the home team have not forgotten what happened in Ann Arbor a year ago and will be a rabid bunch. That being said, if Michigan can survive the first few minutes of emotion at Beaver Stadium, the Wolverines should be able to escape with a hard- fought victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Michigan 27, Penn State 20