Nov. 21, 2015: No. 14 Michigan 28, Penn State 16 (University Park)

Sept. 24, 2016: No. 4 Michigan 49, Penn State 10 (Ann Arbor)

Oct. 21, 2017: No. 17 Michigan at No. 3 Penn State (University Park)

Harbaugh and Franklin have reintroduced the intensity to this rivalry over the past two seasons.

Michigan has reemerged as a legitimate College Football Playoff contender under Harbaugh, who is coming off back-to-back 10-win seasons. Harbaugh also is 2-0 against Penn State, including a 49-10 blowout at Michigan Stadium last season.

Brandstatter: “This is one of those games in the rivalry, in my opinion, where the previous year’s game will really rile up the other guy up. Penn State, because last year Michigan destroyed them in Ann Arbor, has a chip on their shoulder in regards to Michigan. That ‘White Out’ is going to be jumping, and there are going to be T-shirts around with last year’s score on it. I’ll bet you money.”

The Wolverines have a nasty defense under defensive coordinator Don Brown, one that’s led by Rashan Gary, Maurice Hurst and Devin Bush. The unit has drawn comparisons to that incredible 1997 defense.

Toomer: “I like what Harbaugh is doing. He goes to exactly what kids want, which is Jordans, Facebook, Twitter and all of that kind of stuff. I like it, but I just want him to win.”

The Wolverines, however, are still looking for their first Big Ten championship since 2004.

Franklin delivered that conference title to Penn State last season, and the Nittany Lions once again have two Heisman Trophy contenders with running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorley. Tight end Mike Gesicki and receiver Juwan Johnson are nice pieces in that offense as well.

Offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead makes it work with an offense that resembles the 1994 team in a lot of ways.

Astorino: “Franklin has done a good job of bringing back Penn State to what it’s supposed to be while at same time teaching kids, ‘We’re Penn State. We should be winners when we step on the field.’”

Both teams feel that way now. It feels like the ‘94 Penn State offense going up against the ‘97 Michigan defense. That’s the main headline for the next chapter on Saturday night. Barkley and Bush made the Sporting News midseason All-American team, and with good reason.

Bacon: “People are talking about the best tailback in the country in Saquon Barkley, and he clearly is that, and Devin Bush, one of the best defenders in the country, running around like a middleweight fight, a matchup within the matchup. That is going to be a game within the game that makes the true classics delicious. This one’s got it.”

Who’s ready to turn that page?

Brandstatter: “Penn State and Michigan are always going to be on the radar. Just mention the names. Penn State. Michigan. Those two schools, those two names elevate the meaning. It goes beyond Michigan and Pennsylvania because of who they are and what they bring outside those two states.”

Jones: “It does bring it full circle back with two of the marquee programs in the history of the game, who have had some memorable games, are going to have even more games like that starting with this one. The contrasts are incredible.”

They always will be, and so will the similarities.

The next 25 years of Penn State-Michigan should be just as incredible, too.