Randy Edsall 2014
Maryland coach Randy Edsall brings his 5-3 team to State College Saturday to face Penn State. The Terrapins are 1-35-1 all-time vs. the Nittany Lions. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Penn State-Maryland is a series, not a rivalry.
Rivalries are competitive. Penn State-Maryland has been anything but through the first 37 meetings between the two programs.
PSU is 35-1-1 all-time vs. the Terrapins and the last meeting, back in 1993, looked like this: Penn State 70, Maryland 7, at Maryland.
Now maybe Randy Edsall and his 5-3 Terps can make this a more competitive game the next few years with both teams in the Big Ten — beginning with Saturday's matchup at Beaver Stadium — but the history of this series couldn't be much more one-sided.
Edsall's 2014 team has produced some nice moments, winning at Indiana and Syracuse, beating Iowa at home and staying close to West Virginia (40-37) in a loss.
But the Terps have also been dusted by Ohio State (52-24) and Wisconsin (52-7), the Badgers' loss coming last week in Madison.
Penn State's defense is the best unit on the field and the Lions (4-3) are playing at home. But the Lions' offense is too inconsistent and Penn State's punting figures to give Maryland a decided advantage in field position.
I believe this one is going to be very tight and if Penn State can't get the 'W' and end its three-game losing streak, it's going to be a very difficult final month for James Franklin and his Lions.
PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: PSU's DBs. Containing Maryland WR Stefon Diggs will be a serious test for this solid group.
DON'T BE SURPRISED IF: The Lions' defense has to make a stand to preserve a lead late in the game.
PREDICTION: The hosts do just enough to end the losing streak. PENN STATE 17, MARYLAND 16.
MARYLAND WEEK
-- Penn State Numerology 101: The Lions own Maryland, clamping down on Ohio State, more
-- Penn State football chat with Bob Flounders
-- Penn State Pressure Points: Bad officiating, a young WR's continued excellence, more
-- Have the people connected with the Butkus Award actually seen Penn State's Mike Hull play?
-- Penn State's James Franklin moving past Big Ten officiating issues and onto Maryland
-- In the crosshairs: Penn State's defense, special teams vs. Maryland's Stefon Diggs
-- As The O-line Turns: Will Penn State's Donovan Smith, Miles Dieffenbach be ready for Maryland?
-- Penn State Fanchat recap: Akeel Lynch's workload, Wendy Laurent's future, brutal officiating
-- Penn State football podcast: Bob Flounders, FOS's Mark Brennan talk Terps, Christian Hackenberg
-- 4 Keys: Penn State's plan for beating Maryland and snapping a three-game losing streak
-- Penn State matchup: A look at key positions for the Lions, Maryland