Initial thoughts on Penn State-Ohio State, Lions’ matchups with Indiana and Maryland: Schedule breakdown

Penn State will not face the seventh, eighth, and ninth opponents on its 2023 schedule for months. Despite that fact, they are tuning up for the preseason camp and the fall right now, just like the Nittany Lions are. And, it’s never a bad time to start getting to know this year’s foes.

Blue-White Illustrated has been offering some mid-summer initial thoughts on each team head coach James Franklin’s team will face later this year. We’ve already covered the first six. Now, it’s time to jump into the next trio.

Oct. 21: Penn State at Ohio State, TBD

The Lions are a 10.5-point underdog already at FanDuel for their annual clash with head coach Ryan Day’s Buckeyes. Ohio State owns a six-game winning streak in the series. Penn State has not won in Columbus since 2011. A kickoff time is not yet set.

Our initial thought on OSU is this: It will have weapons on offense and game wreckers on defense. But, who will its quarterback be? Unlike many past years, that question is unanswered entering preseason camp. Pa., native Kyle McCord and second-year Buckeye Devin Brown are battling for the job. A starter hasn’t been named in State College or Columbus. Yet, there is a clear-cut leader in both towns. In Buckeyeland, McCord is the expected winner. Is he ready for the bright lights assuming he takes the reigns of what should be another powerful Ohio State offense, quarterback willing? That’s the big question in mid-July.

Oct. 28: PSU vs. Indiana (TBD)

Penn State owns a commanding 24-2 all-time series lead over Indiana. The Lions will be expected to roll over the Hoosiers again in 2023.

Our initial thought on the Big Ten East school is this: Can transfers and change get Indiana back on the right track?

Coming off back-to-back losing seasons featuring records of 2-10 in 2021 and 4-8 a year ago, the team hit the portal. Quarterback Tayven Jackson is in from Tennessee and tracking to be the starter. Christian Turner joins the running backs room from Wake Forest. Allen and his staff also added help at all three levels of the defense, which is now led by co-defensive coordinator Matt Guerrieri instead of Allen, who previously called the plays.

We’ll see if all of the new pieces pay off come the fall.

Nov. 4: Penn State at Maryland (TBD)

Penn State has won 42 all-time contests against Maryland. The Lions have put up 50-plus points in each of their last two trips to College Park. Yet, The Action Network thinks the Terps will be a short favorite over PSU this year once home-field advantage is factored into the line. And, others think this will be one of the tougher contests on the team’s schedule.

Our initial thought is this: Can Maryland give Penn State a legitimate game this fall?

We’re dubious, at best, at this point, that it will end up being the case. Head coach Mike Locksley’s roster took a hit due to transfers this offseason. The team did make a nice portal addition in former West Virginia receiver Kaden Prather. And, it does have some playmakers at key spots, including returner Taulia Tagovailoa under center. But, until we see the team on the field this fall, we’re hard-pressed, at this juncture, to think the Terrapins have the talent to give Penn State a game come November.

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