Penn State practice, October 8, 2014
Penn State head coach James Franklin addresses the team during practice on October 8, 2014. The Lions take on Michigan Saturday night in Ann Arbor. Joe Hermitt, PennLive
(JOE HERMITT)
STATE COLLEGE -- Anytime a series elicits conspiracy theories, it's a safe bet that, year after year, its circled on the calendar.
This particular series has featured an extra two seconds one year, a four-overtime thriller in another, and plenty of blowouts and close calls in between. One program had a nine game winning streak at one point. Now, the other side has won four straight and is looking for five.
Penn State and Michigan have often played entertaining football. Both programs know it, and both find a little bit of extra energy when they square off.
This version of the Nittany Lions is no different than the ones from years past, which challenges a year-long mantra from head coach James Franklin that no one game is bigger than the next.
"We try our hardest not to do that," Franklin said Tuesday. "Whether it's out-of-conference games or conference games or things like that.
"I want our routine and our preparation to stay as consistent as we possibly can."
Yet, the first-year head coach isn't unaware of what the game means to his program and its supporters.
"I'm not sitting here with blinders on and I'm not naïve to think that certain games aren't different for certain players, and is there-- when you go to the stadium, is there an energy that comes along with it?" Franklin asked.
"Yeah," he continued. "And I want them to experience that and I want them to have fun with that."
Saturday's first Big Ten night game at Michigan Stadium marks the 18th time Penn State and Michigan will meet. The Lions have four Michigan natives on their roster, one a brother of a current Wolverine. Head coach Brady Hoke's side has a pair of Pennsylvania natives, and his cornerbacks coach, Roy Manning, played linebacker for the Green Bay Packers when Franklin coached for the franchise in 2005.
All of those connections, and all of that history, makes it difficult for some to look at a battle between a 4-1 side fresh off a loss and a bye and a struggling 2-4 program as anything but another game.
Because for far too many, it isn't.
"Being from Michigan, I know that there's a lot of great fans of Michigan, so no matter their record, and how they are playing, their fans will always come and support," PSU end CJ Olaniyan, a Warren, Mich., native, said Tuesday.
"It's always nice to go back and play at your hometown. I'll be looking forward to just playing in front of my family."
Penn State tackle Anthony Zettel falls into the same boat. Arguably the Lions best defender through five games, the tackle was recruited heavily by Michigan and Michigan State before ultimately selecting the Lions out of West Branch, Mich., Ogemaw Heights.
"I went to a few games when I was little," Zettel said Thursday. "I went to 10 or so games during the recruiting process.
"It's going to be a great experience. All my family has been waiting for it, so it means a lot to me."
Then, there is Nittany Lion end Brad Bars, back on the field after missing all of 2013 due to injury. He's made four tackles so far this fall. Younger brother Blake is a an offensive lineman in redshirt sophomore season at Michigan.
Franklin said Thursday that their father, Joe, often attends Penn State's practices. He'll undoubtedly have split allegiances Saturday.
"Brad's been an unbelievable leader for us," Franklin said. "He's got a maturity to him that I think has been really important to our team."
Saturday serves as a key moment for both programs. Penn State is hoping to right its ship after losing to Northwestern. Michigan, and specifically Hoke, could see its ship sink with another loss.
So, hard as Franklin may try, this game may be a bit bigger than the rest.
"We are excited about the opportunity," he said. "This will be my first time going to Michigan.
"Looking forward to that and experiencing that and that's something we're keeping mental notes as a coaching staff because a lot of our coaches haven't been to a lot of these locations before"