A major test for two Big Ten East rivals kicks off in Happy Valley this weekend. For undefeated, No. 3 ranked Michigan, a shot to show the selection committee that it can beat a good opponent on the road and shake off some of the narrative about its strength of schedule. And for No. 10 Penn State, a chance to beat a quality division rival and work its way up the Big Ten pecking order.

Now, both the Wolverines and Nittany Lions meet in college football’s Week 11 action on Saturday.

• Penn State has scored 30-plus points in every game but one, its loss to Ohio State
• Lions scored 84 points in the last two games
• A win over Michigan doesn’t clinch the East, as PSU needs the Buckeyes to lose a game eventually, too
• Game features No. 1 and No. 2 ranked defenses in college football
• Michigan back Blake Corum leads FBS with 16 total touchdowns
• Wolverines have scored at least 40 points in each of the last six games
• UM’s closest game was a 24-point win over Rutgers

Michigan vs. Penn State preview, prediction

How to watch

When: Sat., Nov. 11
Time: 12 p.m. Eastern
TV: Fox network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

Michigan vs. Penn State game odds

Courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: Michigan -4.5
Total: 44.5 points
Moneyline: UM -200 | PSU +150
FPI pick: Penn State 50.4% to win

What you need to know

• Michigan leads the Big Ten in scoring with 40.7 points per game on average
• Wolverines are also 1st in the conference with 6.8 yards per play on offense
• Penn State allows just 60.3 rushing yards per game on average
• Michigan is No. 1 in the Big Ten with 141 plays of 10-plus yards
• And it’s hitting on 55.6 percent of third-down conversion attempts
• Nittany Lions allowing 6.7 points per game and 4.2 yards per play
• PSU has 119 plays of 10-plus yards and converts 42.2% of third downs
• And is No. 1 in B1G in defensive success rate with a strong front seven

Michigan vs. Penn State prediction

Say what you will about Michigan’s strength of schedule, but it has passed all those tests with flying colors. This week’s matchup will be a genuine test, however. Michigan hasn’t faced a defense this dominant or agile all year, and it will be pushed back with some regularity by the Lions’ skilled front seven rotation.

But the Wolverines present a formidable challenge of their own at the line of scrimmage, boasting a defensive front seven that should gain an early advantage against a Penn State protective unit that has not played quite up to expectation.

Combine that with the fact that the Lions have one of the least dynamic-performing offenses in college football, and Michigan’s own big-play ability with the edge at the key skill positions, and the defending Big Ten champs have the ingredients to stay perfect.