Dispensing Thoughts and Opinions: PSU-Maryland

FTB’s Rapid Reaction/Stream of Consciousness After Maryland Gave Penn State a Swirly and Took the Nittany Lions’ Lunch Money.

• To us, it’s not “Prisoner of the Moment” to at least wonder whether this is the worst loss in Penn State football history. We’re not necessarily saying it is, but it’s not a ridiculous question to ask, either. Off the top of our head, Toledo 2000 came to mind….but that Toledo team (which finished 10-1) is probably better than this Maryland team. What other loss would rival this one?

• In our post-Indiana DISPENSING THOUGHTS, we wrote: “A mature team absorbs this and gets better…not sure this is a mature team, though.” Looks like our hunch was spot on.

• Sticking with the maturity theme, the probability of Penn State not completing its 8-game schedule just shot through the roof. At 0-3, how many players say, “Screw it” and get lazy when it comes to social distancing, mask wearing, gathering in large groups, etc.?  And really, can you blame them?

• Which local high school A/V Club did BTN hire to work cameras today? Couldn’t even see what the heck happened on Maryland’s first touchdown. Thankfully, Maryland coach Mike Locksley ran the exact same play for another score so we won’t be totally blind during our post-game scout. Appreciate it, Mike.

• (Checks watch) The Kirk Ciarrocca honeymoon ended at  1:26 p.m. today.

• Typing on eggshells here, but it needs to be asked: Is James Franklin 100 percent focused on this season — we’re talking mind, body, and spirit — or have outside factors beyond his control (namely not having his family around because of COVID precautions) complicated things and splintered his attention?

• Shame highly-touted PA Prep prospect Derrick Davis Jr. didn’t wait three more hours to pick a college. Because if he had any doubts whether he’d start from Day 1 at Penn State, those doubts would have vanished after watching today’s game.

• Really thought Penn State’s offense finally figured things out in the second half vs. Ohio State.  So much for that.

• Let’s cool it with putting “Jayson Oweh” and “potential first-rounder” in the same sentence…unless the Spartan Games has a draft we don’t know about.

• It’s time to finally point a finger at Dwight Galt and Penn State’s Strength and Conditioning crew and wonder whether they’re getting the job done. This group has been untouchable since guys like Saquon Barkley, Troy Apke and Mike Gesicki tore up the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, but when your offensive line and defensive line both get outmuscled by Maryland, it’s look-in-the-mirror season. Ohio State and its gaggle of 5-stars is one thing, but Maryland should never punk Penn State in the trenches.

• Hypothetical here: IF Sean Clifford duplicates this week’s stinker next week at Nebraska, and IF he’s not benched thereafter, then Penn State’s backup QB situation is in dire straits and a Band-Aid for 2021 must be found on the transfer market.

• About to spend the next 6 hours breaking down this game…wanna trade Saturday nights?