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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Maryland Terrapins running back Challen Faamatau (29) runs through Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields (Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports) /

Penn State Football linebacker – Ellis Brooks

As was already mentioned, Michigan is a great running team, so Ellis Brooks also needs to have a great performance from his middle linebacker position against the Wolverines.

Brooks leads the team with 69 total tackles on the season, and he may be expected to have to get many more this week.

While it would be great if the defensive line is able to make stops in the run game and not have to rely on too much support from the second level, that is not always the most realistic, especially against a team like Michigan.

The senior linebacker has to have a sound game in coverage as well, as the Wolverines will look to get tight end Erick All involved in the passing game over the middle of the field.

Ellis Brooks will play a big role in helping to try to prevent the Wolverines’ offense from consistently moving the ball down the field on Saturday.

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