Penn State beat writers around state give Maryland predictions taken in Altoona, Pa. (Penn State)

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Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa runs past Penn State's Ellis Brooks during the Terps' victory last season.

ALTOONA, Pa. -- If there was one game during the James Franklin era that Penn State looked completely disinterested in playing, it was last year at home against Maryland.

The Nittany Lions came in 0-2 and looked completely unfocused in falling behind 35-7 before losing, 35-19. The Terps were 27-point underdogs, and that was the worst loss of Franklin's tenure -- at the time.

The Illinois loss two weeks ago overtook the Maryland debacle last year, and some consider that the worst loss in Penn State history.

The Lions will be looking for some payback Saturday at Maryland, where they have throttled the Terps the last two meetings -- 59-0 in 2019 and 66-3 in 2017.

Penn State is favored by 10.5 points in this game. Will the Lions cover? Will they destroy the Terps again?

Here's a look at how the statewide media sees the game, and once again, many thanks to all of the outstanding reporters for taking part in our weekly predictions feature.

Frank Bodani, York Daily Record: Penn State 37-27. The run game rolls (kind of) with Keyvone Lee! Lions race out to big lead early and cruise.

Donnie Collins, Scranton Times Tribune: Penn State 27-17. Just your bold old "the team with the most talent wins a football game" prediction.

Cory Giger, DK Pittsburgh Sports: Penn State 38-16. Man, I would love to pick something like 60-3, because the Lions have annihilated Maryland on the road in recent years. Terps' defense is terrible, but their offense is good enough to avoid a blowout.

Mike Gross, Lancaster Online: Penn State 34-23. Sometimes -- not always, but sometimes -- the better team wins because it's the better team.

Elton Hayes, CNHI Pennsylvania: Penn State 31-17. Nittany Lions put it together on both sides of the ball and snap three-game skid.

Ben Jones, StateCollege.com: Penn State 40-10. Simply because Maryland allowed Iowa to look like Chip Kelly's Oregon.

Joe Juliano, Philadelphia Inquirer: Penn State 45-24. The Lions get their offense untracked, and maybe even their run game, against a Terps team that ranks 10th or lower in the Big Ten in almost every defensive category.

Derek Levarse, Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, Penn State 34-20. No venue has been more welcoming to the Lions than Maryland Stadium, where Penn State has won the last three games by a combined scored of 195-10.

Kevin McGuire, Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State 36-17. Penn State is ready to bust this losing streak in a big way, and Maryland won't stop them this time.

Jarrod Prugar, DK Pittsburgh Sports: Penn State 35-17. Nittany Lions dial up some complementary football in a win that feels closer than it actually is.

Neil Rudel, Altoona Mirror: Penn State 29-16. Team that makes fewest turnovers wins.

Jon Sauber, Centre Daily Times: Penn State 31-21. Penn State's defense is too good and keeps Maryland at bay for most of the game.

Rich Scarcella, Reading Eagle: Penn State 34-17. Lions shut out Indiana in first red-circle game. They take care of Terps in their second one.

Mark Wogenrich, Sports Illustrated: Penn State 31-14. As long as they've detoxified from the past three weeks, the Lions win comfortably.

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