STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- For one week the Nittany Lions had the luxury of having a little downtime, well as much as one can get with one regular season game left and no classes to worry about.
Many spent it sleeping in, watching a little extra film on Maryland and then of course gathering for Thanksgiving either during the team lunch in the dining hall or by heading to the house of their position coach, family or friends. It's a routine the upperclassmen have grown accustomed to and with a little break from games on the horizon following the trip to College Park to play the Terrapins (4-7, 2-6 Big Ten) the No. 10 Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-2) still have a lot left to play for.
A win would make this Penn State team the 23rd in program history to have a 10-win season and while they won't learn their bowl fate until next weekend, the Lions are three touchdown favorites for this one and for good reason.
The pick: Penn State 42, Maryland 17
OFFENSE
The Lions finally found their balance as an offense and it resulted in a 56-point output against Nebraska. Now, the challenge turns to trying to maintain that type of physicality that allowed the Lions to have success in the ground game against Nebraska. They need the run to open up the pass and it's been anything but easy for this team to strike that balance this season, but last week's run game helped the Lions' offensive line gain confidence, too.
"This past game shows that we can really do it," right tackle Chasz Wright said. "That's something that we know we can do. That's what we're trying to practice on throughout every week is to have a game just like last game. Just to be a balanced offense. When we can produce numbers like we did, that just shows even more that we're more than capable of giving Saquon (Barkley) the opportunity."
The Lions have been without left tackle Ryan Bates since the Ohio State game and Bates did dress last week but didn't warmup. Should he return, that would move Wright out of the starting lineup and allow redshirt freshman Will Fries to go back to right tackle.
Barkley got back to his explosive ways against Nebraska and the Lions have gotten back-to-back big games from wide receiver Juwan Johnson. The latter has been a positive development, especially late in the season and given his size and physicality he could do some damage yet again.
Still, through the ups and down, surprises and some disappoints of the season, the Lions know what they're getting from quarterback Trace McSorley and when he's on the move and extending plays with his legs that's when he's at his best. He's been durable and dependable and the Lions have gotten backup Tommy Stevens on the field within the past two weeks, both in the two-quarterback package and in mop-up duty. Look for that to continues against Maryland.
Still, all that McSorley provides for this explosive offense continues to show week in and week out. Against an Maryland defense that's giving up an average of 409 yards and 34.5 points per game the Lions could be in line for another big afternoon from their quarterback.
"The thing with Trace is you know what you're going to get, every game, every practice, every meeting. There's value in that," James Franklin said. "No different than people you work with or from your boss or whatever. Having a guy that's just so consistent. ... I think he's become really kind of a little bit better in every area. Trace probably doesn't have one thing that blows you away. It's not like he's 6'4". It's not like he runs 4.3. Not like he can throw it 80 yards, any of those types of thing. He does everything well."
Running back Miles Sanders should have more opportunities yet again in the second half to showcase what this backfield could like next season. Barkley said last week he has two more games this season and in both expect more eyes to be on Sanders because of the road ahead.
"I know Saquon, you see how he is on the sideline when (Miles) gets in the game and makes plays," Franklin said. "Saquon came up to me and was like, 'Miles is going to be really good.' I agree."
Tight end Nick Bowers caught a touchdown against Nebraska and with Mike Gesicki headed to the NFL after this season additional looks for Bowers -- should the Lions have a lead late -- would likely be in the cards.
DEFENSE
Less of wide receiver DJ Moore gives the Lions the best chance to get out of College Park with the win. Moore's 933 yards are tops in the Big Ten and with eight touchdowns there's good reason why Franklin said this week that Moore reminded him of former Penn State standout Chris Godwin.
"DJ Moore is a guy we've been impressed with, a kid out of Philadelphia," Franklin said. "Strong, explosive, powerful guy, playmaker for them."
The good news for Penn State is that the Terps have been decimated by injuries at quarterback. They lost two quarterbacks for the season with injuries within the first three games, but they've managed to hold onto a plus-four turnover margin, a mark that's only bettered in the Big Ten by the Nittany Lions (plus 12). The Lions have struggled to create as many turnovers recently as they did earlier on in the season, something they'll need to look to get back to.
Penn State will be without starting safety Troy Apke for the first half since he was ejected during the Nebraska game for targeting in the fourth quarter. Penn State could start either Nick Scott or Ayron Monroe, both experienced players who have contributed and will contribute regardless who starts.
"All we got to do is play smash-mouth football, play our physical D. That will take care of itself," safety Marcus Allen said.
However, Allen didn't shy away from mentioning the type of impact not having Apke could have. Another senior back on the last line of defense -- especially after the Lions' reserves as a whole were gashed late in the Nebraska game -- could make the first half a little more interesting than it would've been with Apke. Maryland also uses two running backs who will challenge a defense that will be without starting Will linebacker Manny Bowen for the third consecutive game. Bowen was suspended for a violation of team rules as has been replaced by senior linebacker Brandon Smith.
Look for Smith to start yet again and Penn State likely will continue working linebacker Cam Brown at both the Sam and the Will spots as they strive to get him more experience both as a blitzer and playing in space. Should the Lions get defensive end Ryan Buchholz back, who hasn't played since getting hurt in the first quarter against Ohio State, it will help bolster a pass rush that could use it. Buchholz dressed and warmed up last week, meaning a return likely is close.
"They love to run the counter play," Franklin said. "They love to run the split zone play. Then they'll attack the alley using smoke and mirrors, taking shots, running screens. They do a really good job offensively."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Coming off their worst performance of the season, the Lions' special teams will need to rebound in order to get back to being the team's most consistent unit this season. Punt returner DeAndre Thompkins has been corralled since a hot start to the season and many opponents are kicking it short so Barkley doesn't have a shot to return the kick.
It's a sign of respect for sure, but the Lions also could benefit from the return of special teams ace Irv Charles who will be a game-time decision. Charles was not available last week. Even punter Blake Gillikin, the one stabilizing force on the Lions' special teams the past two seasons, wasn't immune to a mistake last weekend as he shanked a punt.
Kicker Tyler Davis booted the ball out of bounds last weekend too and Zech McPhearson ran into the ball on a punt return that resulted in a fumble recovered by Nebraska, all details that all went into a rough and uncharacteristic showing for the group.
"I think our effort is really good. We haven't been as consistent kicking the ball on kickoff," Franklin said. "We were playing a little more reckless earlier in the year. I think we were also kicking the ball a little bit more consistently earlier in the year. That helps. We got to be a little bit better there."
Maryland running back and kick returner Ty Johnson averages 131 all-purpose yards per game and is second in the conference -- only behind Barkley -- in kick returns with an average of 25 yards per return.
DON'T BE SURPRISED IF... Penn State's reserves get another long look late in the third quarter or early in the fourth. There is valuable experience to be had at all these positions and after the reserves were gashed by Nebraska's Tanner Lee late in the game they'll need to have a better showing this time around.
KEEP AN EYE ON... The Nittany Lions' return game. After using Barkley as the team's primary kick returner all season Penn State put wide receiver Brandon Polk back deep for last week's game against Nebraska. Was it because Barkley was banged up or are the Lions just wanting to mix it up and see more of what they have in Polk, who will be back next season?
