Penn State versus Maryland: Predictions

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 08: Saquon Barkley
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 08: Saquon Barkley /
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COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 28: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions leaps over kicker Sean Nuernberger #96 of the Ohio State Buckeyes en route to a 97-yard opening kick off return for a touchdown in the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 28: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions leaps over kicker Sean Nuernberger #96 of the Ohio State Buckeyes en route to a 97-yard opening kick off return for a touchdown in the first quarter at Ohio Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Shane Lunnen, Contributor

The Nittany Lions are a win away from back to back double digit win seasons for the first time since the 2008-2009 seasons. A win should secure a New Years Six bowl berth as well, but it still depends on how things shake out elsewhere.

By now, everyone knows about the carousel at quarterback this season for Maryland. Max Bortenshalger is the fourth starter this season and will finish it out for the Terps. He has been average, but it is hard to expect more considering the circumstances. He has a great target in wide receiver D.J Moore, who can achieve 1,000 yards on the season this week. If the Penn State secondary is not careful, Moore can burn them. Tavion Jacobs is the Terps other receiver to keep an eye on. Running backs Ty Johnson and Lorenzo Harrison split time in the back field and have been effective at times this season.

The Terp defense is not very good. They have allowed 182 rushing yards per game, so one would think Saquon Barkley could have a good day. But we have seen teams sell out to stop Barkley and force Trace McSorley to beat them. Expect Maryland to follow the same strategy.

Maryland will put up some fight in this one, being their final game of the year and their perception of this being a rivalry. The first quarter will be a slow start for the Lions and Maryland gets out to a 10-0 lead on a D.J. Moore touchdown catch. The final three quarters will not be as nice to the Terps.

McSorley gets going with three touchdown passes. Barkley gets the bulk of his yards in the third quarter and chips in two more scores. It is 35-10 when Maryland scores to get closer, but Penn State follows with a time consuming drive ending with Tommy Stevens taking a pitch 10 yards to the end zone. Lions win and await their bowl destination.

Penn State 42
Maryland 17