This Halloween weekend, both Michigan and Penn State may have a lot to be scared of when they meet in Happy Valley on Saturday.

After all, the Wolverines are coming off two straight conference losses and are going into one of the most hostile environments in the Big Ten. Oh, and it's an 8 p.m. kickoff.

The Nittany Lions, on the other hand, are giving backup quarterback Matt McGloin his first start ever with usual starter Rob Bolden dinged up. Not to mention, their defense is one of the most injury-depleted in the country.

So anything can happen on Saturday in a game sure to have a whole lot of tricks and treats.

Michigan pass offense vs. Penn State pass defense

Sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson said he's 100 percent for this weekend's matchup, and after accounting for more than his fair share of turnovers in the last two games, the Wolverines are hoping that Robinson will bounce back in what should be his most important start to date.

Sophomore Tate Forcier stepped up in Robinson's absence last week, lighting up the Hawkeye defense for 239 yards and a touchdown, and Robinson was doing a satisfactory job before he hurt his shoulder. The Nittany Lion front seven is hurting, and the pass rush shouldn't be too much for the Michigan offensive line. That means Robinson should have plenty of time in the pocket.

He's been pressing lately though, and Penn State is still capable of making turnovers. So if he forces anything, the Wolverines could be looking at a few more picks. But after the bye, Robinson should become Robinson again, and that means big things for Michigan's pass offense.

Edge: Michigan

Michigan rush offense vs. Penn State rush defense

For the first time in more than a month, the Michigan rushing attack should be back to normal. Iowa and Michigan State both have very capable run defenses, so in Penn State, the Wolverines may finally have an opponent they can run all over again. That's mostly due to the Nittany Lions' wealth of injuries.

Sophomore Vincent Smith started to look pretty good last week, and junior Mike Shaw should finally be 100 percent. But the running back position, as a whole, should remain a question mark as usual.

The quarterback position though, should be as strong as ever running the ball, as Robinson has a great chance of running past the entire 11-man defense.

If the run game doesn't work in Happy Valley, it may not work again this season.

Edge: Michigan

Penn State pass offense vs. Michigan pass defense

Yikes — talk about scary. The Nittany Lions are starting a brand-new quarterback in a primetime game. The Wolverines have one of the most frighteningly anemic pass defenses in the NCAA.

This matchup should be interesting to say the least. McGloin is a former walk-on who has impressed some of the Penn State coaches, but not enough to beat out Bolden, who's been moderate at best. The Michigan secondary, meanwhile, hasn't shown many signs of improvement; although, the Wolverines should start showing some promise soon, right?

Then again, freshman corners Cullen Christian, Courtney Avery and Terrence Talbott are bound to show something soon. But with a fairly talented corps of skill players around McGloin, today doesn't seem like the day.

Edge: Penn State

Penn State rush offense vs. Michigan rush defense

Michigan's rush defense has been mediocre all season long, and Penn State, despite underachieving all year, has a very talented group in the backfield. Evan Royster and Stephfon Green make for an incredibly dynamic 1-2 punch, one that the Wolverines may not be able to stop.

Michigan has had all kinds of trouble with Royster in the past. But this season, Royster hasn't really looked like the same running back as he had in past seasons, the one with the coolest following in the NCAA (The Blue Royster Cult).

The Nittany Lions also lost a running threat with Bolden out, and McGloin isn't much on the ground. Then again, we haven't really seen him run. So much of this category will depend on Royster living up to potential.

Edge: Penn State

Special Teams

Again, not many more developments on this part of the Wolverines' game.