2022 Terps Football: The Focus This Week Vs. Penn State

Woof. Throw that game out. Throw that Wisconsin weather out. It’s time to put the 13-point loss to the Badgers behind us and focus on a big game up ahead.

It’s no secret that Maryland and Penn State don’t exactly like each other. For whatever reason, it was an inherent rivalry once Maryland joined the Big Ten — with the Nittany Lions dominating football, and the Terps basketball. But Maryland has seemingly closed the gap a bit on the gridiron and is hoping to pull off the upset against No. 14 Penn State this week.

This game will be in Happy Valley, where the sun doesn’t typically shine on the visiting team. But this series in general hasn’t been kind to Maryland. The Terps are 3-41-1 all time against the Nittany Lions. Being on the road makes this an unlikely spot for a Maryland win, but from a talent standpoint, this might be one of the best chances for the Terps to upset Penn State.

Here’s the talent we’re watching closely on Saturday…

Maryland Players to watch for…

Ramon Brown: Now listed as the top kick returner on Maryland’s depth chart ahead of , the Terps are hoping to catch fire at that spot with a freshman from Richmond, Virginia, who saw his most significant game action in the loss to Wisconsin. Brown carried the ball 9 times for 27 yards against the Badgers. He also had 1 reception for 1 yard. Can the shifty tailback spark the return game? We’ll find out.

Coltin Deery: In more depth chart shake-ups, Deery is now listed as Maryland’s starting center because Johari Branch is shifting to left guard. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound freshman will have a tall task ahead of him and hearing the snap count won’t be easy with 100,000-plus screaming in State College, but he’s a tough Philly kid who probably knows a couple of players on the other side. Let’s see what he’s got.

Johari Branch: As previously mentioned, Branch will be moving to left guard this week. He’ll be replacing Mason Lunsford. Lunsford hasn’t been great, but perhaps there is also an injury invovled that hasn’t been reported yet because throwing a freshman in at center is a bold move. It will be interesting to see how the offensive line shakeup works.

Penn State Players to Watch for…

Sean Clifford: This dude has been in college for at least a decade now, right? Clifford is Penn State’s bonafide leader, but he’s erratic. He gives you plenty of bad with the good, but he’s a dual threat who is mostly going to throw and can pick up crucial yards with his legs. He has plenty of weapons around him in the backfield and on the perimeter so all he has to do is not make that big mistake that cost his team the game.

Brenton Strange: The junior tight end is third on the Nittany Lions in receptions (23) and tied for first in touchdowns (4). The Terps have struggled mightly against the tight end this season and it will likely be a matchup Penn State will look to exploit. Maryland should know this and be making adjustments to improve in this area, but it’s a tough team to get right against. Strange will blow up if the Terps haven’t figured something out.

Ji’Ayir Brown: Penn State’s leading tackler (52) and team leader in interceptions (3) with also 2 sacks and a forced fumble. Brown is a beast at the safety position and someone who can absolutely take over a game. Tagovailoa needs to identify where he’s at every snap, because he’ll roam all ove the field, and keep the ball away from him.

Coaching Expectations…

Believe it or not, behind super senior quarterback Sean Clifford, Penn State has become a better offensive team than a defensive team. The Nittany Lions are averaging 34.4 points per game (third in the Big Ten) and allow an average of 21.1 points per game (seventh in the Big Ten). Clearly still a well-rounded team, but the onus will be on the defensive staff to bring its A-game on Saturday if Maryland stands a chance at the road upset.

The record in this matchup isn’t good for the Terps. The momentum isn’t on Maryland’s side either. But that’s exactly where teams get taken lightly and upsets happen. But that requires Maryland to believe they can do it.

It starts with the coaching staff. Both defensively and offensively, the Terps coaching staff needs to rally the troops and make this their Super Bowl.

Yes, a game at home against Ohio State still lingers next week. But you can’t look ahead in football and what could be sweeter than a win in Happy Valley. It’s also a more realistic win from a matchup standpoint.

This will not be easy and few will have faith, especially after the showing in Madison. But this is still one of the more talented Maryland teams we’ve seen in years and its postseason eligible, so they’re playing with house money. Time to cut loose and bring it.