What Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said ahead of his team's clash with Penn State

Penn State Nittany Lions football welcomes Michigan to Beaver Stadium on Saturday, looking to win its third consecutive matchup with the Wolverines.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh met the media earlier this week to preview the game.

Here are some of the key points from what he had to say.

Harbaugh on the Penn State environment

Harbaugh and the Wolverines are very familiar with the challenges the Beaver Stadium environment presents to the opposition.

The Nittany Lions have subjected the Wolverines to a White Out atmosphere on their last five trips to Happy Valley, winning four of those games. In 2019, Michigan needed to use a timeout before even running a play due to the noise.

There will be no White Out conditions on Saturday, with the Nittany Lions opting for a “Helmet Stripe” game instead.

Harbaugh was complimentary of the environment, and said he’s encouraging his team not to fight against it.

“You go with it,” he said. “Enjoy that stage, enjoy that opportunity. Personally, I liked to pretend they’re cheering for me when I was a player. I think I see our players taking that same mindset. Their music is our music. People that love football, can’t fault them for that. Just kind of go with it.

“When it’s all said and done, there’s only 11 players on each side that are out there on the field that can affect the game — and the officials. Those are the only people that are out there on the field that play-after-play can affect the down.”

Thoughts on the Nittany Lions’ tape

A reporter asked Harbaugh what he’d noticed on tape from Penn State through its first nine games of the season.

Harbaugh said he’d seen “a lot of good things,” singling out a few players for praise specifically.

“Quarterback is very good,” he said. “Very good running back — [Noah] Cain. Jahan Dotson, receivers, tight ends. Very good offensive line. Defensively, outstanding secondary, really good linebackers, good up front. Good, solid, strong team all around.”

Dotson broke a Penn State single-game record on Saturday with 242 receiving yards against Maryland.

He is one of several wideouts in the Big Ten who produced a big showing that day. Purdue’s David Bell and Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba also surpassed the 200-yard threshold.

“Yeah, there’s some really good players that are receivers, really good players that are quarterbacks,” Harbaugh said. “Really good explosive offenses in the Big Ten.”

Michigan injury situation

Harbaugh did not provide an update on running back Blake Corum or tight end Erick All.

All, Michigan’s starter at the position, did not play for the Wolverines last week. He has 26 receptions for 255 yards on the season.

Corum played only three snaps last week before leaving due to injury. He has 130 carries for 778 yards on the season.

“I don’t have any updates on injuries at this time,” Harbaugh said Monday. “It’s a matter of team getting, working every day, grinding every day. You’re prepping, you’re trying to have good days, trying to have good days. Good meetings, good practice and then go play the game.”