ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Two rivals that opened the season with national rankings arrive at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday still looking for their first Big Ten victory.
Michigan, led by first-year coach Kyle Whittingham, has dropped its first two league games, the first time the Wolverines have started 0-2 in conference play since 2014. Penn State has its own first-year coach in Matt Campbell, and the Nittany Lions have slipped since a 3-0 start that pushed them as high as No. 13. Michigan had climbed to No. 16 before its own slide.
The Wolverines still own the better nonconference résumé after beating Oklahoma, and their defense has not given up more than 20 points in any game this season. Penn State put up 23 points in last week’s loss to USC, with quarterback Rocco Becht keeping the offense afloat while the running game struggled.
Depth is a worry for the visitors at linebacker after Alex Tatsch was lost for the season. Michigan, meanwhile, could have extra help: tight end Alex Bauman, who came from Miami, and defensive back Jeremiah Earby, who came from Boise State, were cleared by a judge to play this season.
Saturday marks the 28th meeting between the programs. The Big House seats 107,601, the largest capacity of any stadium in the United States.
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