Michigan, playing at favored Penn State, relies on old-school power

The Michigan Wolverines have morphed into a team from a previous time and place.

Their head coach, the former hotshot quarterback, even looks like he should be playing for the men who coached him three decades ago.

What's so shocking is how quickly Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines have shifted into a one-dimensional offense and how they seem to embrace it, warts and all.

At this point last year they were a balanced machine, featuring a dynamic two-way star in Jabrill Peppers and plenty of dynamite on both sides of the ball.

Now, a load of senior attrition combined with injuries and ineffective play has forced the Wolveriness to win Big Ten games with their defense, kicking game and hopeful running backs.

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They are lining up in the I-formation, utilizing what amounts to a blocking fullback when the position has all but died out in the college game. 

So it will be the stiffest test yet for try-hard quarterback John O'Korn, looking to regain his lost lost rhythm and confidence amid 110,000 screaming crazies Saturday night in Beaver Stadium.

And against a defense that's swarming like angry hornets.

Michigan is 5-1 thanks to its defense, particularly imposing tackle Maurice Hurst and end Rashan Gary, both oversized, nimble grizzlies. This group has dominated most opponents at the point of attack, like they did repeatedly against Penn State last year in Ann Arbor, led by Hurst.

Certainly, they will try to exploit the Lions' issues, once again, on the offensive line with the relentless blitz pressure. How well will Penn State's multi-faceted offense adapt and find other ways to succeed? 

The Wolverines, however, simply don't have many options when they've got the ball. Their hope is to cash in on game-changing turnovers and score touchdowns, not field goals, whenever things do break right. Their chances may be few and far between.

They seem set on winning like the Pittsburgh Steelers' early "Steel Curtain" teams, before Terry Bradshaw found his way with his receivers. Or maybe more like many of Joe Paterno's best teams — with defense, special teams and a pounding running game.

It's just odd to see that tact in today's game.

"They're going to solve their problems with aggression," Penn State coach James Franklin said of the Michigan defense. "They're a big wreck-the-decision-maker, try to get to the quarterback as much as they possibly can and either sack him or make him uncomfortable in the pocket. They don't give any yards away, no free-access throws.

"A lot of the stuff they do is unorthodox. When you watch it on tape for short periods of time, you're trying to make sense of it. But they play aggressive, which is I think the most important thing they do. They don't miss too many tackles."

Can the Michigan offense old things together until they are rescued? Only if the can pull off the 1970s version of themselves better than most expect.