Penn State Football: 3 players who need to have a big day against Michigan

LB Curtis Jacobs

If Mustipher does his job and wreaks havoc in the middle, one of the players who will benefit is outside linebacker Curtis Jacobs.

Jacobs is considered Penn State’s best linebacker and he will have to show it this week. If Corum and the other Michigan running backs do get past the defensive line, it’s important that Jacobs and the other linebackers are there to make plays and prevent chunk plays for the Michigan offense.

In addition to responsibilities against the run, Jacobs has proved he can also get after the quarterback. Jacobs had a big sack against Auburn and is usually getting after the passer on third and long situations.

If Penn State does shut down the run, or has a lead late, Michigan will throw the ball. The Wolverines have a talented group of receivers, and although Penn State has a great secondary, these receivers could eventually make a play or two that changes the game.

It will be up to Jacobs and the rest of the Penn State pass rush to get after McCarthy and make sure he does not get the ball to those wide receivers. Penn State has done a great job of getting pressure this season, it ranked first in the country in pressures on the quarterback before being off this past week. The problem is, the Nittany Lions are towards the middle of the pack in sacks per game. It’s time for the pressure to get home.

Jacobs will have a lot of responsibilities on Saturday, but no player on the team may be better prepared to handle that than him.