Penn State-Maryland matchup has room to grow

STATE COLLEGE - Penn State-Maryland isn't a rivalry by any stretch of the imagination, but it has potential.

The Nittany Lions and the Terrapins play in bordering states, compete for the much of the same recruits, have past connections on each coaching staff, and now will play each other every year in the Big Ten's East Division.

But one thing is holding this pairing back from becoming a game worth looking forward to: winning on both sides. And for that, don't blame Penn State.

The Lions hold a 35-1-1 advantage on the Terrapins historically, with the lone loss coming 1961. The players' parents probably don't even remember that one.

But tomorrow Maryland has an opportunity to do something many will remember and, subsequently, inch closer to rival status.

"You have to win games, and that's one thing that we haven't done here at the University of Maryland [against Penn State]," Terrapins coach Randy Edsall said. "If you are ever going to make a series a rival, there has to be wins on our side to be able to make that happen."

The Terrapins (5-3, 2-2 Big Ten) and Lions (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) will meet this weekend in Happy Valley - a place that hasn't been kind to the Terrapins. Maryland's only win over Penn State occurred in College Park, making it winless in 21 trips to State College.

The last time the two sides played was at Beaver Stadium in 1993 when the Lions ran away with a 70-7 victory.

Quite a bit has changed since then. For instance, Penn State's current coach was still playing quarterback for East Stroudsburg at the time of that meeting.

Now, James Franklin is coaching Penn State against a program he has a deep-rooted history with.

Franklin was Maryland's wide receivers coach from 2000 to 2004 and offensive coordinator from 2008 to 2010. He was tabbed as the Terrapins' head coach-in-waiting during his second stint there.

But after a new athletic director arrived in 2010, things didn't work out for Franklin.

Or did they?

"I'm very appreciative of the time at Maryland," Franklin said. "I think I'm in a pretty good situation now, so things happen for a reason and I'm blessed and fortunate to be here.

"It's awesome to be at Penn State."

That's not all the history Franklin has at Maryland.

While Franklin said he doesn't know Edsall too well, he did coach with Terrapins offensive coordinator Mike Locksley at Maryland earlier in their careers. The Lions coach also said he knows Edsall's defensive coordinator, Brian Stewart.

Franklin even remembers Maryland starting quarterback C.J. Brown, whom he recruited during his time in College Park.

"I remember the home visit. I remember being down in the basement and playing ping-pong with them and pool," Franklin said. "I root for him every game but one."

Penn State has nine players on the roster from Maryland. Of those Maryland natives, seven have started or made notable contributions this season.

And of course, all nine were either recruited or offered scholarships by the Terrapins, according to Rivals.com.

"Penn State has always recruited down here," Edsall said. "Penn State has pretty much always gotten who they wanted to get down here."

Familiarity aside, Franklin said his team isn't looking at this as a rivalry game - it's just another Big Ten game, like playing Northwestern or Ohio State.

And that's not to slight Maryland.

Considering the lopsided history, it's no shocker this game isn't being treated with any more hate or motivation.

But given the expected long-term back-and-forth in the Big Ten, the Penn State-Maryland series has time to grow.

"It's something that as we continue to play Penn State, we can turn it into a rivalry," Edsall said.

And who knows? Tomorrow could be a turning point.

It won't be another 70-7 contest, that's for sure.