This was one of the games the Big Ten thought could become a new rivalry when it added Maryland and Rutgers to move to 14 teams. Penn State fans don’t particularly consider Maryland a rival, but there has been some bad blood between the teams. Last year, Maryland players refused to shake hands with Penn State players, and Black Shoe Diaries is selling “Dominate The State” shirts that include Maryland. That’s fitting, since the teams will be playing in Baltimore. Still, this isn’t a top Big Ten rivalry.
How to watch Penn State vs. Maryland on TV or online, plus 3 things to know
Get pumped for this rivalry/non-rivalry.
One thing that might help is if these teams were nationally relevant. Both have struggled this season, to varying degrees. Maryland fired coach Randy Edsall after falling to Ohio State two weeks ago, and this will be interim coach Mike Locksley’s first game. Maryland isn’t particularly good at anything this season — offense or defense — but it will get a chance to show it can improve under Locksley.
Penn State started the season with a disappointing loss to Temple, and after beating up five bad teams in a row, the Nittany Lions lost, 38-10, to Ohio State. The defense is very good, but the offense can’t get anything going, particularly in the passing game. Quarterback Christian Hackenberg’s play has been roundly criticized. Can the offense do better against a struggling Maryland defense?
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Radio: Maryland, Penn State
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Penn State is favored by 6.5 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Black Shoe Diaries for Penn State fans and Testudo Times for Maryland fans.
Three big things to know
1. What will we get from the Mike Locksley era, which isn’t expected to last beyond the season? Maryland really has nothing to lose, so we’ll see what Locksley can do for the Terps.
2. If Penn State loses this game ... oh boy. The hot seat under James Franklin is going to get a bit warmer.
3. Can Penn State get its passing offense going? That’s a must with big games against Michigan, Michigan State and Northwestern still to come, as those games will affect bowl positioning.
See More:
