Can Penn State's season still be super? Lions look for more meaning at Maryland
Frank Bodani
The Nittany Lions find themselves in a most peculiar place as they prepare for the regular-season finale at Maryland.
They are on the verge of a second-straight double-digit win season — something unheard of for this program even 15 months ago.
Close to another big bowl game invitation.
And yet everything still feels a bit deflated compared to what could have been just a month ago. Before those back-to-back, last-minute defeats.
Where will the Lions' heads and hearts be Saturday afternoon in College Park?
More:Penn State vs. Maryland Prediction: Try to catch the Lions' offense, if you can
More:Heisman Watch: Barkley's breakout still not enough for Penn State star
The prohibitive underdog Terrapins do feature a few special talents on both sides of the ball and have played feisty throughout, despite shuffling between a handful of quarterbacks.
Here are the key points to Penn State's quest for a 10-win season ...
Key matchup
Defense vs. Maryland pass game: The Nittany Lions undoing has been their inability to pressure quarterbacks.
It cost them dearly in losses to Ohio State and Michigan State, and they were picked apart, embarrassingly so, in the second half against Nebraska.
Now come the Terrapins, which have been forced to play five quarterbacks because of injury. They could use either backup Max Bortenschlager or walk-on Ryan Brand, who started the season as a fifth-stringer.
The Terps also may go with freshman offensive linemen Johnny Jordan and Marcus Minor Saturday because of more injuries.
Despite their issues, the Terps do feature the Big Ten's leading receiver in D.J. Moore, who averages nearly seven receptions and 85 yards per game.
The first goal, then, is to keep the ball out of his hands, no matter who is throwing it.
Key player
Penn State: Trace McSorley, quarterback. The junior is becoming even more of a dual-threat runner the past month. And that decision-making will be key against a unit that has significant holes but has been known to hang around tough if not knocked out.
There's no disguising these numbers, though: The Terps give up more points per game (34.5) and more passing yards per game (227) than every Big Ten team but one. McSorley has an array of receivers at his disposal to keep both trends going.
Particularly watch for 6-foot-4 Juwan Johnson to break things open. And the man who will get the ball to him.
Maryland: D.J. Moore, receiver. He really does do it all, in a similar fashion to Saquon Barkley. Moore is one of the nation's top receivers (72 catches, 933 yards, 8 TDs) but also is a threat running the ball and even throwing it.
He's averaging more than 12 yards per carry on his handful of attempts and has completed his only pass. He's also the team's top punt returner.
Saturday's kickoff
What: No. 12 Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) at Maryland Terrapins (4-7, 2-6)
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Capitol One Field at Maryland Stadium (54,000)
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: WSBA-910 AM, WGLD-1440
The Line: Penn State by 22
The series
Penn State leads, 37-2-1
(Last four meetings)
2016: Penn State 38, Maryland 14
2015: Penn State 31, Maryland 30
2014: Maryland 20, Penn State 19
1993: Penn State 70, Maryland 7
2017 state comparison
PSU Maryland
39.4 Points per game 26
16.6 Points allowed 34.5
156.6 Rush yards per game 165.1
289.3 Pass yards per game 160.1
446 Total yards per game 325.2
118.7 Rush yards allowed 182.2
213 Pass yards allowed 226.8
331.7 Total yards allowed 409
0.9 Turnovers per game 1.1
2.0 Turnovers forced per game 1.5
41.8 Penalty yards per game 62.1
