For Maryland’s upcoming game against Penn State, we wanted to get the lowdown on everything you need to know about the Nittany Lions. So we went out and found two experts on the team: Bill DiFilippo of Roar Lions Roar and Bob Flounders with PennLive.

How would you grade James Franklin’s tenure at Penn State thus far?

Bill DiFilippo, Roar Lions Roar: This is a really tough question to answer. On one hand, he deserves an A+, because Penn State has not had a losing season under him even though years 3-5 of sanctions are the ones where your team gets hit the hardest between things like depth concerns and an over-reliance on young talent. Plus he has managed to recruit rather well, as Penn State’s recruiting classes from 2014-2016 have been ranked 24th, 15th, and 20th nationally based on their 247Composite ratings.

On the other hand, some of his in-game decisions have been…not great, to the point that some people have called for him to be fired, which I would guess is a D or a C-. I would say a B-, although I know plenty of people who would say he deserves much better or much worse. It is a divisive subject in Happy Valley.

Penn State’s run defense has allowed over 200 yards per game this season. What has been the main problem with stopping the run for them?

Bob Flounders, PennLive: The Lions’ problems are many. You can start with the three starting defensive linemen who left for the NFL – tackles Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettel and All-American end Carl Nassib. Throw in the fact PSU’s three projected starting linebackers have not been together since week 1 and there will be struggles.

Also, PSU has not tackled well and the front four is either young or inexperienced.

Do you think Maryland is Penn State’s rival? If not, why?

DiFilippo: I do not. To me, Penn State’s rival is Pitt. If Pitt doesn’t exist, maybe Maryland is Penn State’s rival, but maybe Michigan State is. Or maybe Temple is.

To me, a rival is your top opponent in your state, the team that you compete against on and off the football field the most. Even though the two teams do not play every year, that is Pitt, and unless someone decides to put College Park in Pennsylvania, it will never be Maryland. That is not to say that there is no bad blood between the Nittany Lions and the Terrapins, because there absolutely is
(especially considering the fact that, if Ralph Friedgen had his way,
Franklin would be Maryland’s head coach right now), it is just not a rivalry on the level of Penn State/Pitt. And honestly, I doubt it ever will be. I really dislike Pitt, y’all.

What has the transition from Christian Hackenberg to Trace McSorley been like at quarterback?

DiFilippo: It has been an interesting transition. Under Hackenberg, Penn State’s passing game was built around big plays, as he was not the best QB on short throws but he was solid on intermediate ones and he could kill you in the deep passing game. Last year’s game against Maryland was a great example of this, as Hackenberg completed just under 45 percent of his passes, but he averaged about 24 yards per completion and threw three touchdowns.

Under McSorley, the Nittany Lions have relied more on short-to-intermediate throws, and they have worked for the most part. McSorley is first in the conference in passing yards, and he has also brought a new dimension into the game with his ability to run. He has not perfect – his decision making on read options has been inconsistent, he has been somewhat turnover prone (he has had eight fumbles, although some of those have been bad snaps), and his accuracy numbers could be better – but he has been a solid signal caller for the Nittany Lions.

What is something you expect Penn State to do well against Maryland?

Flounders: The Lions’ special teams are improved and I expect them to limit the damage done by William Likely. PSU will create some big plays in the passing game if McSorley can buy time with his feet.

Who are some players you expect to be difference makers on Saturday?

Flounders: Wide receiver Chris Godwin had a solid game against Maryland last year and wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins is a decent deep threat.

Running back Saquon Barkley is very dangerous if he can clear scrimmage but that has been a problem this year. Maryland did a nice job of slowing him last year.

Notice I did not list any defensive players.