Penn State fans waited almost 11 years to see their Nittany Lions reach the College Football Playoff for the first time.
Their patience would almost certainly be rewarded if No. 4 Penn State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) beats visiting Maryland (4-7, 1-7) on Saturday in University Park, Pa.
The Nittany Lions held their place in the latest CFP poll after escaping Minnesota with a 26-25 win last Saturday. They are currently projected to host Indiana in a first-round game as part of the inaugural 12-team playoff field, which will be finalized Dec. 8.
A win would essentially clinch a playoff spot and could even propel Penn State to the Big Ten championship game if No. 2 Ohio State loses at home to Michigan on Saturday.
That’s a lot to look forward to, but all Nittany Lions coach James Franklin sees are potential distractions. Tripping up against the Terrapins on senior day could wash everything away.
“We want an opportunity to compete as many times as we possibly can this year. If that includes a conference championship game, we would be very, very excited about that opportunity,” Franklin said.
“All we have to do is focus on playing Maryland this week, and if we’re not focused on that, then a lot of these other things that everybody else wants to talk about, then those things become questionable. Those things become challenging.”
Quarterback Drew Allar has been sharp for Penn State over his last three games, completing 77.3 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and no interceptions.
He carved up Maryland’s defense last season, tossing four touchdowns in a 51-15 road win.
Allar’s offensive line will look different on Saturday without star tackle Anthony Donkoh, who suffered a right knee injury against Minnesota. Wisconsin transfer Nolan Rucci will start in Donkoh’s place.
The Terrapins come in amid a down year that will end without a bowl appearance for the first time since 2020. Maryland has lost four straight, including a 29-13 home setback to Iowa last week.
It remains uncertain who will be under center for the Terrapins on Saturday.
Billy Edwards Jr., Maryland’s regular starter, has regressed over the past few games and left last week’s contest after taking a big hit in the third quarter. North Carolina State transfer MJ Morris entered for Edwards and completed 12 of 23 passes for 103 yards with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.
Terrapins coach Michael Locksley said Edwards practiced on Monday but remains “a little banged up.”
“He fought through all year with some of these (injuries), and I expect him to fight through, to try to make himself available this weekend,” Locksley said.
Whichever signal-caller takes the field will throw to one of the nation’s top pass-catchers this year in Tai Felton, whose 92 receptions and 1,097 receiving yards rank second (tied) and fourth, respectively, in FBS. The senior needs 143 yards to eclipse Maryland’s single-season receiving record.
Despite the disappointing campaign, Locksley said Felton and the Terrapins’ other veterans have needed no extra motivation ahead of what could be the final game of their collegiate careers.
“I got a bunch of seniors that are all for the smoke,” Locksley said. “They’re all for it. They’re showing up, they’re doing the work. Nobody’s hanging their heads.”
–Field Level Media
