Maryland and Penn State: Could this be a B1G Rivalry?

Could Maryland and Penn State be a rivalry? Penn State and James Franklin say, no way. Maryland on the other hand, is putting the challenge out there. As Randy Edsall would say, there is one brewing if Franklin keeps recruiting in his state.

The Nittany Lions and Terps are 35-1-1 and the last time that they met was in 1993. In order for rivalries to exist, the teams need to be regularly schedule against each other. Not playing each other in 21 years is definitely not a regularly scheduled match up but now that the Terps are in the Big Ten, the two will see each other much more.

Geographically speaking, and as both coaches have alluded to, recruiting is going to be a major determining factor in if this rivalry does in fact bloom. Penn State and James Franklin have been dominating the recruiting trail, having a top five class even before the rest of the sanctions were lifted. If Franklin continues to steal recruits from Maryland, Edsall is definitely not going to be happy.

Maryland is 5-3 and 2-2 in the Big Ten. Penn State is 4-4 and 1-3 in the Big Ten. Maryland is ahead of Penn State in the Big Ten standings. If Penn State is going to make a bowl game this year, they have to beat Maryland including some of the other games that they have this season. Temple, Indiana and Illinois could all be possible wins for the Nittany Lions to secure a bowl game spot.

The Nittany Lions may scoffs their noses at the idea, but in the next ten years, with the B1G supporting the Terps instead of the ACC, a rivalry is almost certain to bloom.

Crabcakes and football, that’s what Maryland does.