It’s fair to say that most, including myself didn’t think Penn State would start off the season with a 0-2 record. Was there a possibility of that? Of course, but with the talent returning on this season’s Nittany Lions roster, many believed – once again – including myself that they would contend for a Big Ten title. The good news is the last time the Nittany Lions started a season 0-2, in 2012, it won its next five games and rallied to finish second in their division.

Let’s first address last week’s loss to Ohio State. First and foremost, the Buckeyes are simply a more talented team, with at present a better coaching staff. Once again, Penn State looked like the least prepared of the two teams and numerous game management situations, including going for it on fourth and two from the PSU 46 on its first possession that resulted in turning the ball over on downs, and also not calling a timeout when it was obvious that its defense wasn’t set up correctly, defending a third and goal from the PSU 10 - all helped Ohio State get out to a 21-3 advantage.

Simply put, Penn State head coach James Franklin and his staff have not been good enough this season. The Nittany Lions have lost three highly-talented players in Micah Parsons, Journey Brown and Noah Cain, and they’re one of the youngest teams in the country with 81 underclassmen (31 true freshmen, 24 redshirt freshmen, 26 sophomores) to just 10 players in their final year of eligibility. But 0-2 is hard to swallow and if the coaching had been better, the Nittany Lions would at least be 1-1 with a small chance to still advance to the Big Ten Championship if they won out.

However, Penn State must now focus on Maryland (BTN, 3:30 EST) and trying to secure its first win of the season later today. Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa had a breakout game against Minnesota last week, throwing for 394 yards and three touchdowns. The Maryland running game also got going against the Golden Gophers with Jake Funk rushing 221 yards and a score.

Ohio State was able to have its way with the Penn State defense last week, compiling 526 yards of total offense and 38 points, but a positive this week is that the Terrapins offensive line group is nowhere near as talented as the Buckeyes in the trenches. I think this possibly could be a breakout game for the Nittany Lions defensive front.

In week one, Tagovailoa showed that he can certainly turn the football over, throwing for three interceptions with no touchdowns. The Maryland run game was stifled as well as it was only able to rush for 64 yards on 21 carries against the Wildcats. The Penn State defensive front will be the best front Maryland has faced this season, so it bodes well for the Nittany Lions defense, seeing how much the Terrapins struggled against Northwestern.

Offensively, the Penn State offense should focus on one thing and one thing only and that’s running the football. The Nittany Lions offensive line group will be hopefully be charged this week after not performing well last week against an elite Ohio State front seven, and I believe their rushing attack has the opportunity to have a dominant game.

Northwestern rushed for 325 yards in week one and Minnesota rushed for 262 yards last week against Maryland, so it’s evident Penn State’s veteran offensive line will have the edge going into this one. The Nittany Lions need to establish the run from the onset and should have a day of 250-plus rushing yards with the trio of Devyn Ford, Keyvonne Lee and Caziah Holmes. Penn State rushed for just 44 yards against Ohio State a week ago and I believe heavier doses of the youngsters in Lee and Holmes will elevate its run game.

The number one way, however, for Penn State to turn it around will be for quarterback Sean Clifford to play to his potential. Clifford’s turnovers were a big reason for the Nittany Lions loss in week one and last week he did not do well in avoiding pressure and making plays down the field. To Clifford’s defense, he was not well protected, but there were numerous times where if he unlocked himself from his number one read and stepped up in the pocket, he would have had the opportunity to throw the ball down the field. Clifford needs to move better in the pocket and he needs to play more consistent football for all four quarters if Penn State has any chance of improving as the season moves forward.

Maryland has not scored a touchdown against Penn State in the past three seasons with the Nittany Lions outscoring the Terrapins 163-6. I do think Maryland will get in the end zone this week with Tagovailoa at the helm, but I also think he will be under duress throughout the day and will throw a few interceptions.

As I mentioned, this should be a big day on the ground for Penn State and when you can run the football, you control the tempo and momentum of the game. A bright spot for the Nittany Lions last week was the play of junior wideout Jahan Dotson, who had eight receptions for 144 yards and three touchdowns, including a spectacular one-handed highlight catch. Dotson is becoming a real playmaker, which is something Penn State desperately needs with two true freshman wide receivers starting opposite Dotson.

A big day on the ground and a dominant day for the Penn State defensive line is what I believe to be on the horizon this afternoon.

My pick is Penn State 35, Maryland 10.