Here are our staff’s predictions for Saturday’s game between PSU and Maryland.
Alan Saunders: Taulia Tagovailoa and Sean Clifford are basically the same players they were when PSU thrashed Maryland last year. They’re also basically he same players they were when the Terps upset the Lions in 2020. The difference will be this year’s PSU rushing attack. Clifford was the leading rusher in that 2020 game. Not this year.
Lions roll.
PSU 37, Maryland 13
Logan Carney: I don’t think Maryland gets enough credit for being a good team this year. Sure, they haven’t beaten anyone of relevance but who has Penn State beaten? If you want to use common opponents you can look at Purdue, which Maryland competed with just like Penn State except Maryland fell by two, or Michigan, who Maryland loss by only one score too while Penn State got blown out in the second half. In all honesty, I think this game can go either way. Usually for these toss ups I go with the home team, but I also don’t see Penn State winning 10 games this year. I can’t imagine Penn State losing to Rutgers or Michigan State, so I’ll have to give this one to Maryland, who will see some late game heroics from the other Tagovailoa.
Maryland 28, PSU 24
Mike Asti: This is a really big game for Maryland. The Terps need to keep winning and need a big win to prove they truly belong among the “good” teams this season. While the same could be argued for Penn State, Penn State has stabilized being ranked and has received more national respect. That could create a scenario with Maryland highly motivated and fully up for the game, but the Nittany Lions handled Tagovailoa and company last season. I think it happens again and Maryland is further exposed as just taking advantage of a weak schedule.
PSU 32, Maryland 20
Brandon Walker Penn State is off to a good start to make a strong finish to the season. It made a statement last Saturday against Indiana and will look to make another statement against Maryland.
I believe Maryland will make some plays on offense, but Penn State’s defense, particularly the secondary, will keep a lid on big plays enough to neutralize its high flying attack. On offense I foresee Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton having big games on the ground by rushing for between 180-220 rushing yards and three touchdowns combined. Maryland will keep it competitive, but in the end, Penn State is better.
PSU 38, Maryland 27
Jarrod Prugar: Another game, another Penn State rout. The Nittany Lions are better than people give them credit for even with Maryland being a step up over Indiana. Expect the run game to be featured early and often.
PSU 42, Maryland 17
Joe Smeltzer: Maryland’s rush defense isn’t good and ranks 10th of 14 Big Ten teams in yards allowed. For context, Maryland gives up 3.8 yards per carry and Indiana gives up 3.6. Freshmen studs Allen (18 carries, 86 yards, three TDs) and Singleton (16 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD) carved up the Hoosiers last week, and Penn State won the battle in the trenches are well despite multiple injuries to starters on the o-line. There’s no reason not to expect at least one of Allen or Singleton to go off against Maryland, and both having big games isn’t unprecedented. On the other side of the ball, I expect Tagovailoa to play his heart out and make some plays. As Brandon pointed out in his three keys to victory article, Tagovailoa is mobile, and Penn State struggled with Indiana QB Jack Tuttle’s running last week.
Maryland will keep it close, largely because of Tagovailoa, but I have a feeling Penn State’s offense is going to go off.
PSU 41, Maryland 28
