Eleven regular season games have come and gone, folks.

It feels like yesterday we were predicting the outcome of the West Virginia game in August. Now, Penn State football will host Maryland for the final game of the regular season.

In last year’s matchup, the Nittany Lions had no problems with the Terrapins in their 51-15 victory in College Park. This year, Penn State is a win away from clinching its first-ever College Football Playoff berth, and our staffers think the Nittany Lions will get the job done.

Fernando Martinez Ruiz De Esparza (11-0): Penn State 38, Maryland 10

Folks, it all comes down to this.

After 11 games this regular season, the Nittany Lions are one win away from clinching a spot in the College Football Playoff. The implications in their regular-season finale against Maryland couldn’t be any higher and having the home-field advantage couldn’t have come at a better time for this team in a game like this.

Penn State survived its huge test against Minnesota last week, which will give it a lot of confidence heading into this game despite not playing the best. Before, Penn State tended to lose those types of games, but the win against Minnesota, especially its final drive, demonstrated how resilient this team is. For that reason, I expect a complete performance from the Nittany Lions on Saturday.

As for Maryland, this team is not good. It is 4-7 and has been eliminated from making a bowl game this season. Its lone quality win was at home against USC, the Terrapins’ only win in Big Ten play.

The Terrapins will not have any motivation in this game and are just hoping for their season to come to an end. I expect Maryland to come out flat in this game and struggle against an elite Penn State team.
The Nittany Lions will finish off the job on Saturday and clinch their first College Football Playoff appearance.

Cooper Cazares (10-0): Penn State 38, Maryland 10

Penn State’s defense will be the key to this game. Maryland’s offense ranks outside the top 50 in total yards this season with quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. having a tough 15-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. I expect pass rushers such as Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton to get to the quarterback, forcing rushed throws into a hungry Nittany Lion secondary. Without a defense that can support them — one that’s outside the top 70 nationally in yards allowed per game with 375 — I don’t see a path to victory for the Terrapins.

Michael Siroty (9-0): Penn State 41, Maryland 20

Penn State knows what’s at stake here. Even though I don’t expect Beaver Stadium to be super crowded, the Nittany Lions are by far the better team. See you soon, 11-1.

Jamie Lynch (10-1): Penn State 35, Maryland 15

After nearly eight years of being on the fringe and being a few snaps short of “good enough,” the Nittany Lions will have the chance to clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff on Saturday. The path is simple: win and get in.

Penn State has not been kind to Maryland in recent seasons, and I think that trend will continue when the Terps roll into Beaver Stadium this weekend. I expect Penn State to put this game away early, and the backups to see significant playing time. It’s all right in front of us. Don’t look back now.

James Russell (7-0): Penn State 41, Maryland 10

The No. 4-ranked Nittany Lions play its last regular season game at Beaver Stadium to face Maryland. This is an opportunity for Penn State to flex its muscles against an inferior Maryland team. I expect Penn State to go up early and give its depth some playing time to get ready for the first round of the College Football Playoff.

I predict the Nittany Lions’ offense will pound the rock against Maryland, sticking to its identity on the offensive side of the ball and getting the likes of Nick Singleton, Tyler Warren, and Kaytron Allen involved. I also predict the Nittany Lions’ pass rush to get home against the Terrapins’ offensive line.

This game could move defensive end Abdul Carter into the top three in Big Ten sack rankings — he ranks fourth in the standings with eight sacks. I have the Nittany Lions blowing the Terrapins out in its final game of the regular season.

Nolan Wick (10-1): Penn State 42, Maryland 10

In October, I went down to College Park and watched Maryland lose convincingly against…Northwestern. Northwestern. I don’t see how a 1-7 team in Big Ten play that lost to Northwestern at home stands a legitimate chance against Penn State in Happy Valley.

Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. frequently succumbed to pressure from the Wildcats in that game, so I can’t imagine he’ll have a pleasant outing against Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton. Tai Felton is the best wide receiver in the Big Ten and one of the best in America, so he and Kaden Prather could be challenging. Still, though, the Nittany Lions are the better team with so much more to play for. If they keep their feet on the gas pedal, this shouldn’t be anything like their trip to Minneapolis last week.

Oh, and please show up. This is Penn State’s biggest regular-season finale in years, and no opponent should be written off. Penn State will host a College Football Playoff game with a win, so get loud and prepare to buy your tickets for December football in Beaver Stadium if that happens.

CJ Gill (9-1): Penn State 69, Maryland 0

It’s Maryland. It’s Mike Locksley’s last game. It’s playoff time.

CJ Doebler (10-1): Penn State 45, Maryland 3

There isn’t much to say about this one, folks. Penn State’s good, Maryland’s bad.

The Terps don’t have what it takes to engineer an upset inside Beaver Stadium on Saturday, no matter how passionate their fans may be. Penn State leads 43-3-1 in the series and walloped the Terps 51-15 last year in Maryland. With a 1-7 conference record, expect more of the same Saturday.

Mitch Corcoran (11-0): Penn State 38, Maryland 10

Penn State has outscored Maryland 364-138 in James Franklin’s tenure, beating the Terrapins by an average of 22.6 points per game. This one won’t be close again.

I’ve said this about four or five times this season, I think, and I’ll say it one last time: If this game is anywhere close, fire the entire coaching staff.

Joe Lister (10-1): Penn State 48, Maryland 6

You almost have to feel bad.

Too bad I don’t.