Michigan Football: 5 Things to know about Penn State

4. The Nittany Lions really miss PJ Mustipher

While Penn State lost Clifford for the remainder of the game against Iowa, it lost star defensive tackle PJ Mustipher for the rest of the season. Since then, Penn State’s run defense has fallen off. Against Illinois, Penn State allowed 357 rushing yards on 5.3 yards per carry.

That was the same week Illinois head coach Bret Bielema questioned whether the offensive line talent he inherited was good enough to play for him. Against Ohio State, TreVeyon Henderson ran for 152 yards on 28 carries (5.4 YPC).

Michigan football has one of the best rushing offenses in the country, however, it could be shorthanded this week.

Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are both questionable, so this could be a game where Hassan Haskins has to carry the load. Haskins is certainly capable as he had 20 carries four this season. Last week, he tied his career-high with 27 carries for 168 yards and a touchdown.

5. Jaquan Brisker is a star 

While Penn State may be without Mustipher, it still has one of the best safeties in the country in Jaquan Brisker. Brisker excels patrolling center field as a deep safety and he is also excellent in coverage.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic ($) has Brisker at No. 39 on his big board. For the season, he has 43 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. Michigan will need to watch where Brisker lines up at all times.