Neither Michigan football nor Penn State is talking much about the matchup this weekend as much as both are licking their wounds and focusing on themselves in an attempt to rebound after disappointing starts in Big Ten play.
Both teams entered conference play undefeated, but neither has managed to get a win once they started playing the games that really count. Each is sitting at three wins, with Penn State's latest loss having come at home against USC.
Thus, the sole question either head coach -- Kyle Whittingham or Matt Campbell -- got this week about the opponent was to the latter, who was asked about the comparison between Trojans QB Jayden Maiava and Wolverines signal caller Bryce Underwood, each of whom can hurt you with their legs.
Campbell
said what pretty much every head coach says in preparation for seeing Underwood on the other side of the line of scrimmage in that he has all the intangibles -- even if we, the populace, haven't regularly seen them put to use.
"Yeah, I think two very different mobile quarterbacks, right?" Campbell said. "One with the mindset of really scramble to throw. One guy who is dynamic as a ball carrier and certainly has all the tools with a big arm to make you pay if you man, if you put everybody up at the line of scrimmage to stop the run.
"So I think, you know, a very different dynamic, in terms of how you're preparing for this quarterback compared to maybe what you were comparing last week. But it's certainly a great challenge. Obviously, the respect for the athleticism, the arm talent. He's got all the traits that it takes to be an elite quarterback."
Underwood and PSU QB Rocco Becht each have had their issues in recent weeks, though Becht's best performance for the Nittany Lions did come against the Trojans. But, likewise, the Penn State defense had its worst performance of the season last week, as Maiava passed for 301 yards and three touchdowns, while USC also mustered 129 rushing yards. Michigan may need a similar strategy if it's to come away with a victory on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Penn State coach Matt Campbell raves about Bryce Underwood's traits
