Opponent: Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten)
Location: Maryland Stadium
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. EST
Last week: Maryland lost to Michigan State 17-7, Penn State beat Nebraska 56-44
Last meeting: Oct. 8, 2016 — Penn State 38, Maryland 14
TV: Big Ten Network — Kevin Kugler, Matt Millen and Lisa Byington
Streaming: btn2go.com
Radio: 105.7 FM (Baltimore) / 980 AM (Washington, D.C.) — Johnny Holliday, Tim Strachan and LaMont Jordan
Student radio: WMUC Sports — Connor Newcomb and Jarred Belman
Weather forecast: 59 degrees, cloudy, 7 percent chance of rain and 6 mph winds
Three things to watch for Maryland:
DJ Moore — The Terps’ star receiver is on the verge of setting a school record. In 1994, Geroy Simon reeled in 77 passes, the most for a single season in Maryland history; Moore can surpass that with six catches against Penn State. He’s also just 67 yards away from joining Marcus Badgett and Torrey Smith as the lone Terps with 1,000 receiving yards in a season. With Penn State’s pass defense softening recently (more on that below), Moore has a good shot at both of these marks.
Ty Johnson — Like Moore, Johnson could obtain a Maryland milestone in this game, although he has much longer odds. With 805 rushing yards on the season, the running back needs to pick up 195 against Penn State for his second straight 1,000-yard campaign, which only one Terp has achieved before (Charlie Wysocki in 1979 and 1980). Last year, the Nittany Lions limited him to 11 yards on five carries, and a repeat performance seems most likely.
Jermaine Carter — This is Carter’s last game for the Terps, and he couldn’t have had much better of a career. The linebacker is leading the team in tackles for the third straight season, while chipping in six tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Going up against a powerful Penn State offense will make for an arduous Maryland finale.
Three things to watch for Penn State:
Saquon Barkley — After a mini-slump, Barkley returned to form last weekend against Nebraska. The star running back gashed the Cornhuskers for 158 yards on the ground, more than he’d rushed for in his previous three games combined. Maryland’s defense has allowed 182.2 rushing yards per game this year, and Barkley won’t make things any easier for the Terps.
Trace McSorley — Barkley has had some help from his teammate under center. As a redshirt junior for Penn State, McSorley has taken his game to another level this year. He’s completed 65.2 percent of his passes and thrown 24 touchdowns to eight interceptions. That efficient play has given him a 78.0 QBR, which ranks 12th in the country and second in the Big Ten, according to ESPN. Not bad for a three-star recruit.
Pass defense — The Nittany Lions didn’t allow more than 200 yards through the air in any of their first seven games. But three of the team’s last four opponents have racked up at least 300 passing yards, with Ohio State, Michigan State and Nebraska combining to throw for 1,127 yards. While the Terps have a run-oriented offense, Walt Bell could call for some more passing plays against this unit, especially with Moore’s record in sight.