Penn State vs. Maryland Prediction Roundtable

Penn State is on the road again this week after suffering its first conference loss of the season last week at Ohio State. Next up is a battle in Baltimore with the Maryland Terrapins, a team that pulled off an upset win last year in Beaver Stadium. This year, the Nittany Lions seem primed to avenge that defeat.

There have been questions all year surrounding Penn State’s offense, and to date, there have been few answers. Despite having a talented roster on paper, the Nittany Lions have struggled to move the ball and put up points and currently rank as one of the lowest producing offenses in the nation.

If there was ever a better chance to right the ship, it’s this week, as Maryland enters in the middle of a three-game losing streak and rank near the bottom of the nation in total defense.

Anything can happen in Big Ten play, especially to the road team. However, though Baltimore is a home game for Maryland, there’s expected to be a large crowd of blue and white throughout the stadium. Check out the VBR staff predictions for this week’s matchup with the Terps.

Staff Writer Barry Leonard Jr.

Saquon Barkley, enough said. Now that the star freshman is healthy, he needs to be the focal point of this offense. Quarterback Christian Hackenberg has really struggled and the line has been unable to protect him. Throwing a large dose of Barkley at the Terps should ease the pressure on the offense and create opportunities in the passing game.

Maryland is bad on both offense and defense, opening the door for Penn State to get on track in a big way. I’m expecting an offensive performance much like we saw adjacent Rutgers. 300 yards and two touchdowns by Hackenberg, along with over 150 yards rushing and a touchdown by Barkley could be on tap.

On defense, the Nittany Lions have been dominant on defense, despite getting run over by the Buckeyes last week. Look for a huge game from the trio of Carl Nassib, Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettel. Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda will also be very productive against the Terps.

More from Victory Bell Rings

Penn State has lost its two road games this year, but there’ expected to be a large following of blue and white inside of M&T Bank Stadium. The away crowd will be sent away happy- Penn State wins 24-7.

Staff Writer Marty Leap

Anyone who thinks Penn State will not play with a chip on their shoulder Saturday after what happened last year against Maryland is crazy. I think Penn State will come out ticked off over the amount of disrespect shown by the Terps last year, as well as the way they let the game slip away in the fourth quarter, and play very inspired football on Saturday. Which, I believe, will spell bad news for Maryland.

The Terrapins are a total mess. They’re 2-4, their head coach has been fired, and they’re allowing 196 rushing yards per game. I believe Saquon Barkley and the Penn State rushing attack has a huge game on Saturday as the Nittany Lions easily rush for over 200 yards. I also think Christian Hackenberg and the passing attack will make a few big plays on Saturday.

Penn State’s defense will have to contain Maryland QB Perry Hills who brings a running threat. In fact, he ran for nearly 200 yards against Ohio State. However, I believe Penn State’s defense, due to what happened last week against Ohio State, will play angry and inspired football and force at least two turnovers.

Penn State is the healthiest they have been all season, they’re angry over what happened last year against Maryland, and the Terps stink. For these reasons, I foresee the Nittany Lions picking up a pretty dominant win on Saturday.

Penn State 28
Maryland 6

Staff Writer Shane Lunnen

The game versus Maryland this week is a must-win game in my opinion. If Penn State falters this week, there will be a lot more than whispers about the tenure of the coaching staff. The Nittany Lions must get back on track and I think they will behind a healthy Saquon Barkley. The Terrapin defense has struggled this year. Their 100^th ranked rushing defense plays right into the hands of Barkley and Akeel Lynch. Combined, they should run for over 200 yards. With the running game working, maybe the play-action pass will actually be a thing this week and Hackenberg can find Chris Godwin and DaeSean Hamilton downfield.

The Nittany Lion defense should bounce back this week against an easier offense to defend. While Maryland quarterback Perry Hills is a solid runner, there are not many other options for the Terps. If the defense keys on shutting down Hills running game and forces him to throw, it could be a good day for the boys in white. Penn State’s front seven should apply a lot of pressure to force Maryland into mistakes.

The biggest concern for this matchup is the special teams. Maryland has one of the best return men in college football in Will Likely. The Nittany Lions must shut him down and it’s easier said than done with the way the special teams has played this year. It would be nice to see improvement in the punting game this week, but I’m not holding my breath.

Maryland is in turmoil with the firing of Randy Edsall. Sometimes a leadership change has a way of sparking a team and Maryland might view this game as their season. Expect a good fight from the Terps, but in the end Penn State will get the job done behind their powerful running game.

Penn State wins 31-20 and becomes bowl eligible.

Staff Writer Nick Lemon

Penn State enters a crucial three-game stretch against a struggling Maryland team lead by an interim head coach.
If Penn State can put together a solid 60-minute effort against the Terps the memories of the infamous handshake stunt of last season will be replaced where it actually matters, on the field, by a punch in the mouth at the hands of the Nittany Lions. With that said, the Terps are coming off a bye week and I think Penn State’s inconsistencies keep this game tight until late in the second half despite the Lions having the edge talent-wise.

In a surprise to no one, Penn State once again leans heavily on Saquon Barkley to carry the offense and he runs for over 120 yards. More importantly Barkley sees an expanded role as a receiver where he proves to be equally as dangerous. Hackenberg takes advantage of the suspect Maryland defense keying on Barkley to have moderate success through the air as he becomes Penn State’s all-time leader in completions and passing yardage (needs 75 yards and 12 completions).

Penn State’s defense gives up some yards on the ground to quarterback Perry Hills but Nassib and company eventually shut down the Terrapins offense. The Lions defense forces a second half turnover to clinch the closely contested victory.

Penn State wins their first road game of the season to become bowl-eligible, 24-13.

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