Lions’ King believes team will take the next step

In the midst of the Big Ten's discipline on Michigan's sign-stealing scheme with its horrific timing, there's a Top-10 football game in the way this afternoon.

And for the No. 2 Wolverines (9-0) and No. 9 Nittany Lions (8-1), it just happens to be the biggest game of the year to this point.

Penn State cornerback Kalen King best summed up the significance of the Lions' opportunity.

"A lot of people around the country believe that Penn State is unable to take the next step," he said. "I feel like this game is a perfect opportunity for us to go out and prove ourselves against a powerhouse team like Michigan. So I definitely think this is a statement game for us."

A win in this "statement" game would keep Penn State's hopes alive for the Big Ten title and, with it, a berth in its first College Football Playoff.

It would also diminish James Franklin's reputation for not being a big-game coach.

Let's take a closer look at some keys to the games within a game:

1. Emotion

I hesitate to suggest this will be the most emotionally-charged atmosphere in Beaver Stadium history because, well, unfortunately many of us lived through the 2011 season.

Suffice to say this: Michigan's entry to Beaver Stadium today will bring the loudest chorus of boos anyone has ever witnessed.

Penn State fans typically boo every opponent's arrival, from Delaware to Ohio State.

Just wait for today's reception.

Franklin has been encouraging the fans to be "loud" and "disruptive" -- especially on third down -- in hopes of making it difficult for the Wolverines at the line of scrimmage.

So keep an eye, and an ear, out for that.

How both teams respond to Friday afternoon's news of Jim Harbaugh's three-game suspension for violating the league's sportsmanship rule for in-person scouting, which is against NCAA rules, is anybody's guess.

Surely, the Big Ten could have taken care of this earlier in the week.

That said, Michigan cheated, so it's hard to sympathize with the decision — which still allows Harbaugh to coach in the CFP, should the Wolverines get that far.

But from this view, because of the 11th-hour timing, Penn State's challenge just became even tougher.

SUBHD: 2. What's up front?

Penn State could not cope with the Wolverines' physically last year and lost the game at the line of scrimmage as Michigan gashed the Nits for 418 rushing yards in a 41-17 win.

Afterward, Franklin, needing somebody to blame, suggested PSU's defensive line was too undersized by choice.

"We have to develop, we have to recruit, we've got to get bigger," he said. "We're undersized at some spots. Everybody thinks they're Aaron Donald (285 pounds), and they're not."

A year later, Franklin thinks the Lions' defensive line is bigger and their linebackers are more experienced and, thus, better prepared for this challenge.

Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards both gained 150 yards vs. the Nits last year, and Roman Wilson is a dangerous receiver.

SUBHD: 3. Can the Lions get to McCarthy?

Not only did Penn State fail to stop Michigan's run last year, they didn't pressure J.J. McCarthy enough.

Franklin listed that as a priority for today as McCarthy hasn't been under duress, nor has Michigan been behind at all against a much weaker schedule than Penn State has played.

"We have to make him uncomfortable," Franklin said.

With Chop Robinson expected back, and the Lions' defensive line at 100 percent, expect Manny Diaz to play with the same aggressiveness the Lions often unleash against lesser teams.

SUBHD: 4. Passing fancy?

Drew Allar comes off his best game of the season. He'll need to continue that, rather than revert to the struggles he showed at Ohio State.

Franklin made a point this week to say the Lions' top receiver, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, will "need to take the next step."

Dante Cephas broke out at Maryland, and the Lions' tight ends, Tyler Warren and Theo Johnson, are solid red-zone targets.

Allar will have to be on his game against the nation's top-ranked defense.

At the same time, though the Lions' run game has not proven good enough to carry the offense, Franklin mentioned the word "patience" this week and referenced the Iowa game plan which kept the Hawkeyes' offense off the field.

The success of both is tied to the play of the Nits' offensive line.

SUBHD: Close game

Franklin expects a "one-possession" game and, if so, if either team springs a big special-teams play, that could be a difference maker.

The Lions also broke out a gimmick at Maryland, scoring with backup quarterback Beau Pribula in the game, and have also called for Lambert-Smith to attempt a couple of passes recently.

They've tried gadget plays against Michigan before so don't be too surprised if the Lions try one.

They just might need it — regardless of who is calling the shots on the Michigan sidelines.

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.