By Neil Rudel
Penn State has billed itself as “unrivaled” since it has no true rival in the Big Ten and no protected rivals with future conference schedules.
In announcing the 2024 schedule on Thursday, which includes the Terrapins as Penn State’s regular-season finale, the Big Ten Network suggested the teams could become rivals because they share important recruiting turf.
Maryland, of course, would like nothing better than to claim the Lions as their top rival. Same with Rutgers as PSU is the biggest game on the Scarlet Knights’ schedule, too.
But it’s not a rivalry until the other guy wins, and Penn State is 42-3-1 against the Terps.
Which brings us to today.
Neither team is playing its best entering this game (3:30, Fox). Maryland started 5-0 and led Ohio State, in Columbus, 10-0 and 17-10 before the Buckeyes took over.
The Terps haven’t been the same since, losing at home to Illinois and then last week at Northwestern.
Based on their escape vs. Indiana, the Lions nearly let Ohio State beat them twice — again — but Maryland let the Buckeyes beat them three times.
So we’ll see what kind of emotional state Maryland is in. In its last three trips to College Park, Penn State has blown out the Terps by scores of 66-3, 59-0 and 31-14.
Maryland did win 35-19 at Beaver Stadium in 2020, the COVID year when the Lions went through the motions. The Terps’ quarterback that day is the same one still playing, Taulia Tagovailoa, so he’s dangerous, as are some of Maryland’s speedy skill players.
Penn State’s fortitude is also in question. The Lions’ pass defense has not been sharp in the last six quarters, their inability to check Marvin Harrison followed by several breakdowns last week.
Meanwhile, Michigan, and its alleged cheating scandal, is the elephant in the room on and off the field.
To stand any chance on Nov. 11, the Lions need to establish some physicality now – both in staying committed to the running game, winning the line of scrimmage and getting back to being dominant defensively.
Nitpicking …
n Michigan’s blatant disregard of rules by sending a scout on the road to record signs and tendencies of future opponents has put the NCAA and the Big Ten in a most awkward position. One of the nation’s best teams is college football’s lead story for the wrong reasons. Do the authorities – presuming there are any — rush the investigation and issue sanctions now, rather than wait until after the season when the biggest alleged culprit, Jim Harbaugh, could well be coaching in the NFL? Have they even interviewed Harbaugh yet? And how about Mr. Magoo, who has been spotted on opposing sidelines? Has he been interviewed?
N Defensive end was supposed to be the Lions’ strength, but they’ve taken two hits with injuries to Chop Robinson and Amin Vanover. They’re questionable for today.
N The transition from Taylor Stubblefield to Marques Hagans as receivers coach is one factor in the positional dropoff, but that doesn’t explain getting Malik McClain and Dante Cephas out of the transfer portal. So far, they’ve been underused or misevaluated.
N The most pleasant surprise of the season has been Alex Felkins.
N Frank Bodani of the York Daily Record had an interesting question for James Franklin this past week: Has Daequan Hardy been considered for offense? Good thought, since Hardy is the Lions’ most elusive player.
N Penn State’s 2024 schedule includes consecutive games with UCLA, USC, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Washington, a five-game stretch that would have to be considered the most difficult in school history.
N Franklin was asked to assess offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s work this season, and he was smart to pass on the inquiry. Granted, Yurcich got away from the run at Ohio State, but he’s got a big opportunity left (next week) and appears to be carrying out Franklin’s marching orders. Let’s see what’s said, or done, after the season. If Yurcich is fired, the next OC would be Franklin’s sixth so how many more scapegoats are there?
N Franklin’s decision to move the Tuesday press conference (which had been held for 40 years) to Monday illustrates the depth of frustration that losing to Ohio State has brought. Here’s a unique way to minimize the questions after a tough loss: Win a big game.
Rudel can be reached at [email protected].
