ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan has had its way with Joe Paterno more than any other school.

"Well, the first time I coached against Fielding Yost it was tough," joked Penn State's 80-year-old coach, who was referring to the Wolverines' leader from the early 1900s.

Seriously, though, Michigan has won eight straight and nine of 12 since the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten in 1993.

If the Wolverines can win for a ninth time in a row against Paterno and No. 10 Penn State on Saturday at home, it would almost double the best streak and improve the top overall mark against the famed coach.

It would not, however, erase the memory of losing to Appalachian State.

"That's going to stick with you for the rest of your life," defensive captain Shawn Crable said.

Penn State (3-0) will play at Michigan (1-2) in the Big Ten opener as slight favorites because a stunning loss to the second-tier Mountaineers and an embarrassing rout against Oregon are still hovering over college football's winningest program.

The beaten-down Wolverines still have hopes of turning their season around and claiming the conference title they were picked to win.

"You have to win the Big Ten opener if you want to win the Big Ten Championship," defensive tackle Terrance Taylor said. "This game is very important to our season. It's a championship game to us."

It's a key game for Penn State, too.

The Nittany Lions have outscored Florida International, Notre Dame and Buffalo by a combined 135-34, but they expect to know a lot more about themselves after an expected test.

"Michigan has a ton of talent. Their record doesn't reflect it," linebacker Sean Lee said. "We will find out how good we are."

Mike Hart said Penn State is very good on defense.

Led by linebacker Dan Connor and cornerback Justin King, Penn State is giving up a nation-low 17.7 yards rushing a game thanks in part to being tied for first with 17 sacks.

Hart said the Nittany Lions will probably have the best defense Michigan will face all year because there isn't a weakness.

"They have a good front four; they have a great set of linebackers; and they have a good secondary," Hart said. "They can put more guys in the box because their corners and safeties are great."

The star running back leads the Big Ten and is third in the country with an average of 167.3 yards rushing a game, despite being the player defenses have tried to slow down. Hart will get another chance to show what he can do against a defense that will likely be stacked against him.

"If we want to win, we need to stop Mike Hart," Lee said. "Their offense begins and ends with him."