STATE COLLEGE — To simulate Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson in practice this week, Penn State walk-on Evan Lewis donned dreadlocks on the scout team.

The height was just about right — the 5-foot-10 Lewis is two inches shorter than the star quarterback. Even Lewis' wig gave the defense a sense for what they might be seeing in front of them Saturday night — that is, if Robinson doesn't rush by them in a maize-and-blue blur for another highlight-reel play.

The Shoelace Show is coming to Happy Valley when Michigan (5-2, 1-2 Big Ten) visits Penn State (4-3, 1-2) under the lights at Beaver Stadium.

These two storied programs are at a crossroads in their respective so-so seasons. A win would end the Wolverines' two-game losing skid and make them bowl-eligible for the first time in coach Rich Rodriguez's three-year tenure.

A permanent occupant of the coaching hot seat, Rodriguez wants to avoid a repeat of 2009, when a 4-0 start turned into a 5-7 finish. It's in Robinson's head so much that the quarterback, normally reserved off the field, revealed this week that he delivered a locker room speech following his awful performance in the 34-17 loss to Michigan State in Week 6.

"I don't like talking at all ... I'd rather lead by example," he said before revealing why he spoke up. "We don't want this season to become like last year."

A repeat of 2009 is already out of the question for the Nittany Lions, who have had just two losses in each of the last two seasons. Two wins from his milestone 400th career victory, Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno has even taken criticism for Penn State's slow start.

The last time the Nittany Lions were at Beaver Stadium, they walked off the field with a surprising 20-point loss on homecoming weekend. The team has often played without emotion, but the fire seemed to re-emerge last week during a 33-21 victory at Minnesota.

"I mean, I'm hoping we're going to play with a lot of emotion, a lot of enthusiasm," Paterno said. "Hope the crowd is great. Hope it's just a great night for college football."

It would be even better for Penn State if they can corral Robinson, nicknamed "Shoelace" because he prefers Velcro straps to lacing up. A bye afforded him much-needed rest, and Robinson has pronounced himself "100 percent" recovered from right shoulder and left knee injuries.

There are few better venues for Robinson to regain his footing than Happy Valley in prime time. Anticipate a raucous crowd of 100,000-plus fans, including the dazzling visual display of one Penn State's signature student-section "Whiteouts."