Penn State Football vs Michigan: Key players for Nittany Lions to pick up their third consecutive win over Wolverines

Nov 6, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin greats played comming off the field during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jahan Dotson #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Penn State Football wide receiver/punt returner – Jahan Dotson

Dotson outscored Maryland himself on Saturday, on his way to receiving Big Ten co-offensive player of the week honors. It would certainly be great if he could replicate even just half of that performance this week against Michigan.

It certainly won’t be easy, as the Wolverines are No. 9 in the nation in passing yards allowed per game, at just 173.4.

The numbers tell us that if Dotson finds the end zone as a receiver, Penn State will probably win. They are undefeated when he does so, and winless when he does not.

Mike Yurcich will likely look to get the ball into Dotson’s hands in various ways, such as screens and end arounds. He needs to make the most out of every touch he gets, that includes punt returns.

In any game, a special teams touchdown is huge, especially this one. Dotson returned a punt for a touchdown last season against Michigan’s big brother, Michigan State.

Maybe Dotson can have a big game as a returner and a follow up his offensive player of the week performance with a special teams player of the week performance.

Regardless, Penn State Football’s best player has to have a good game this weekend if the Nittany Lions hope to derail the Wolverines’ conference championship hopes.

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