CHICAGO -- Traditional Big Ten Conference powers Penn State and Michigan were not picked to finish among the top three teams in the media's preseason poll.

Michigan's absence is a little more surprising than Penn State's.

The Wolverines have been selected No. 1 five times since 2000. Penn State was tabbed to finish first three times in a four-year span from 1996-99, but has not been ranked in the top three since.

It has been an even longer dry spell for Penn State when it comes to beating Michigan. The Nittany Lions have dropped nine in a row to the Wolverines, with the most recent victory in 1996.

Penn State is hoping to end that drought when Michigan and new coach Rich Rodriguez visit Beaver Stadium Oct. 18. But senior defensive end Josh Gaines admits it won't be easy.

"It's definitely mental," he said at the Big Ten media days yesterday. "That's just being honest with you. [Coach Joe Paterno] wouldn't appreciate this, but it's definitely a mental thing. When you lose that many years in a row, it's not that the players are better, not that the coaches are better, it's a mental thing. ... That's something that we have to get over."

Sandwiched around the Michigan game are road dates at Wisconsin (Oct. 11) and Ohio State (Oct. 25). The Lions are 5-16 against those three teams since 2000.

Penn State center A.Q. Shipley from Moon High School was in a rush to get back to State College.

His plane was due back at 4:30 p.m. and he was to serve as a groomsman in his sister Nicole's wedding ceremony at 5 at Toftrees.

"I'd say there's a good chance that I am going to be late," Shipley said.

"I told my sister, I'll miss this thing [here] and let somebody else come, but she said, 'No.' She said, 'You've worked hard to be a captain and it will be a good experience for you. When you get here, you get here.' "

Shipley was interviewed for tomorrow's "Outside the Lines" program on ESPN that will detail Penn State's recent rash of off-the-field incidents.

"There were some problems, we handled it and hopefully people will learn from mistakes and we can move on," he said.

Penn State senior wide receiver Derrick Williams was regarded as the top high school recruit in the country four years ago.

His career got off to a quick start, but it has fizzled since he broke his arm against Michigan in his freshman season of 2005.

Williams said he would offer the following advice to Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor from Jeannette, this year's No. 1 prospect:

"Just learn as much as you can," Williams said. "Have the upperclassmen try to help you out. Pay attention to details. Just listen. When you listen, pick up as many things as you can."

Williams said the hoopla surrounding Pryor is much greater than what he experienced.

"I think coach Paterno did a great job of not letting stuff get out of hand," Williams said.