York Daily Record reporters Frank Bodani and Jim Seip discuss why Penn State’s defining moments might happen in the final three games of the season, including two tough matchups against Michigan and Michigan State.

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York Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Frank Bodani explains why a 31-30 victory against an unranked Maryland team should be a confidence booster for a banged-up Penn State team that proved it can win by throwing the ball.

It was dramatic, nerve-wracking and ugly, by many standards. But what does it mean to this Penn State team moving forward?

Chris Godwin, the Lions’ top receiver all season, continues to grow into one of the best big-play threats in the Big Ten.

Let’s chat about that and much more tonight at 8.

We’ll delve into Christian Hackenberg and the passing game and talk about freshman phenom Saquon Barkley being grounded.

We’ll look ahead to what the Lions have in store next Saturday against Illinois.

Plus, you tell me what the most improved part of this team will be over the final four regular-season games?

To get warmed up, check out my column on “winning ugly,” and why it’s not such a bad thing for now.

York Daily Record reporter Frank Bodani notes that Saquon Barkley rushed for 194 yards against the No. 1 team in the country last week, and Maryland is allowing an average of 197 yards rushing in a game this season. So expect Penn State to run all over Maryland a year after being shocked by the Terrapins in Beaver Stadium.

Remember the last time Penn State played the Ohio State Buckeyes? Sure, the Nittany Lions pushed them to double overtime, sparked by Saeed Blacknall’s clutch, fourth-quarter touchdown catch. And that Penn State defense did bend and break, somewhat surprisingly, in the overtime periods.

Will Ohio State be the first team to slow down pass-rushing demon Crazy Carl Nassib (95)? He must continue his run of big plays Saturday night.

But make no mistake. No defense since has pushed them like Penn State, not on their national title run last year or their 6-0 start this year.

What kind of mojo will Shoop have working on this trip to Columbus?

Certainly, Penn State needs continued improvement from its shaky offense to stay in this prime time test against the nation’s No. 1. But to stay close at the end … and have any shot at an upset … the Lions’ must receive two or three lightning bolts from its defense.

Defense is what led the Lions on their recovery after the opening shocker to Temple. It’s their best hope of accomplishing something much more this weekend.

Now, six key match-ups for Penn State against the Buckeyes:

1. PSU offensive tackles Paris Palmer/Andrew Nelson vs. OSU defensive ends Joey Bosa and Tyquan Lewis

While the offensive line certainly has improved since allowing a stunning 10 sacks against Temple, there still are significant concerns, especially around Palmer, the junior college transfer, and Nelson, who is ramping up after a leg injury.

Palmer still looks tentative and suffered a poor second half last week trying to protect quarterback Christian Hackenberg’s blind side. And how much is Nelson, the Lions’ top lineman, still hampered by that effects of that injury?

Now, they will be tested like never before, particularly by Bosa, a man-eating pass rusher, and Lewis, the line’s top producer so far with 5 ½ sacks. If the Lions cannot handle the pressure, its doubtful that Hackenberg will ever find his passing rhythm so desperately needed.

2. PSU linebackers vs. OSU quarterbacks Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett and tailback Ezekiel Elliott

Jones (the pass-first starter) and backup Barrett (2,834 yards, 34 TDs last year) always are a threat to gouge defenses with their legs. It is a concern on every play for Penn State’s young LBs Brandon Bell, Jason Cabinda and Troy Reeder. How well they can close gaps and wrap up tackles soundly near scrimmage? That would go a long way to keeping the Lions in this early, especially when Barrett takes over in the red zone.

Meanwhile, Elliott is a game-breaker in his own right. Just ask the Indiana defense, which may have finished that huge upset attempt a couple of weeks back if Elliott didn’t carve them up in the second half. He is a big-play machine, something the Lions limited last October and must do so again.

3. PSU receivers vs. OSU defensive backs Garreon Conley, Eli Apple and Vonn Bell

The Lions have struggled to get their young wideouts open downfield this season — actually, open most anywhere on the field. Head coach James Franklin says that’s not the most important thing, that pulling down the ball in traffic is just as effective. We agree, if you can actually make those catches regularly. Last week, Lion wideouts Chris Godwin and DaeSean Hamilton let a few tough balls slip through their fingers early on. That can’t happen against the Buckeyes.

Receiver Saeed Blacknall has been hot and cold since his breakout last year vs. Ohio State. He may be key to stretching the field this time, too.

Plus, can Hackenberg get big-play Saeed Blacknall, Geno Lewis and speedster Brandon Polk involved, too? They may need at least two big plays from this trio to keep the Buckeyes honest.

4. PSU defensive line vs. OSU offensive line

The key for the Lions defensive success, for those lightning bolt plays, comes from the guys up front. We’re talking about the combination of Anthony Zettel, Austin Johnson and Carl Nassib, the kind of force Ohio State hasn’t seen the likes of this fall.

It will be up to those guys, along with end Garrett Sickels, to create regular disruption in the backfield. They must consistently make life tough for Jones and Barrett — the key to enabling their linebackers and defensive backs to make those game-turning plays.

And no one has found a way to slow down Nassib yet, who must continue his run in Columbus. That’s why he leads the nation in sacks and forced fumbles.

5. PSU tailbacks vs. OSU defense

Is this the grand return of Saquon Barkley? It certainly looks that way. However, for all of his early highlights, no one has seen the true frosh run against superior competition yet. And no one knows how that apparent ankle injury will respond to hard shifting and running in a game. His big-play ability could go a long way to loosening up the entire offense. Even if Barkley can go strong, don’t underestimate the input from second-liners Nick Scott, Mark Allen and even junior Akeel Lynch, who may be back after missing the past two games to injury. Their blocking and execution on screen passes is vital for the offense’s survival.

6. PSU defense vs. Braxton Miller

As a quarterback, Miller tormented the Lions with his legs maybe more than his arm in back-to-back victories a couple of years ago.

Now, he may be the game’s “X factor” as a do-everything receiver. Nothing can bail out an unsteady offense like Miller, with his exclusive big-play ability in space. That means running after making a reception or taking a handoff in the backfield or even running out of the “wildcat” spot as a third quarterback.

He hasn’t enjoyed the ongoing success envisioned after that stunning second half in the opening victory over Virginia Tech.

Reporters Frank Bodani and Jim Seip discuss what Penn State will need to do if it hopes to stay close with No. 1 Ohio State in an 8 p.m. kickoff from the Horseshoe. If Penn State has any chance to win the game, it will need its three biggest stars (Austin Johnson, Carl Nassib and Anthony Zettel) in the defensive front four to make game-changing plays.

Bodani also adds his take on Maryland firing Susquehannock grad Randy Edsall in the middle of the season.

Edsall, the York County native, never made it to Penn State Week.

How will Maryland’s players handle the midseason firing of Randy Edsall? The first test is Penn State in less than two weeks.

He was only 22-34 in parts of five seasons at Maryland and never won a bowl game before being fired Sunday. But beating Penn State by a point in Beaver Stadium last fall was a career highlight. It was perhaps his biggest victory at Maryland, to go along with that opening shootout over Al Golden and Miami and an upset of Virginia Tech.

Edsall, a Susquehannock grad, certainly improved the Terps’ academic standing and their recruiting — though that influx of talent didn’t arrive and mature in time to help nearly enough.

Now, the Terps will be led the rest of this season by offensive assistant and ace recruiter Mike Locksley, setting up a most interesting dynamic on Oct. 24 against the Lions in Baltimore. Penn State will be coming off a huge road game vs. No. 1 Ohio State. The Terps will be coming off a bye week and will be playing the first time under new leadership.

Who knows exactly what the Lions will see with a a new coach in charge, against a team with an extra week to prepare? Of course, who knows who will even play quarterback since Maryland has used three with only sketchy success.

Locksley does have a lot on the table. He must keep his players focused during the swirling debate around who will ultimately become Edsall’s permanent replacement. He must quickly regroup an offense that has lacked a consistent identity. And, during the toughest stretch of the season, he must handle the ship adeptly in order to help keep the Terps’ impressive recruiting class together, headlined by Dwayne Haskins, ESPN’s No. 2-ranked quarterback prospect.

During his first stint at Maryland, Locksley, interestingly enough, coached under former Penn State assistant Ron Vanderlinden and with current Penn State head coach James Franklin and offensive coordinator John Donovan.

Check out ESPN to learn more about the Terps’ new leader and where they may be headed.

How far will a legendary defense carry Michigan?

Jim Harbaugh has turned things around so fantastically at Michigan that some betting odds are putting the Wolverines in play to win the national title.

And that will be hard to argue if they they never give up another point.

Michigan owns the hottest defense around because of plays like this: defensive back Jourdan Lewis (26) celebrating his interception return for a touchdown during another shutout. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)

To understand how quickly things can shift in college football, look no further than Michigan vs. Michigan State this weekend. The Spartans still own the sparking 6-0 record but the Wolverines are the trending, hotter team, particularly on defense.

Michigan owns the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense (6.3 points per game) and the No. 2 total defense (181.3 yards per game), which isn’t even close. The third-place team is yielding 248 yards per game.

The No. 12 Wolverines are the first FBS team in 20 years to ride a three-game shutout streak. And here’s more on how that has all come about.

The thing is, Michigan State was supposed to be that team this year, the one with the dominant defense leading to a true national breakthrough and playoff appearance.

Michigan State has had to fight far harder for their undefeated record than imagined. And its cost them in polls. Can they rebound vs. the Wolverines? (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

But after barely getting by awful Purdue and surviving dysfunctional Rutgers, not only has the Spartans’ defensive numbers plummeted, so has their reputation inside and out of the league.

Will we see a more focused, sharp Michigan State team during Saturday’s battle at the Big House?. They simply may be running into a buzzsaw.

Here’s a breakdown of where the Spartans stand now.

Knights may rise yet from the darkness

Rutgers may be the most intriguing team in the Big Ten the rest of the way.

Their high-profile, off-field problems have certainly led to their most disappointing 2-3 start. And yet considering their abundance of talent, and how star receiver Leonte Carroo and head coach Kyle Flood are now back after suspensions?

Rutgers may be the Big Team most likely to pull a surprising upset over the final seven weeks.

With star receiver Leonte Carroo back in action, Rutgers has the chance to turn heads in the second half. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Take last Saturday’s game against undefeated Michigan State. Quarterback Chris Laviano’s inexplicable spike on fourth down kept the Scarlet Knights from at least one final attempt at sending the game into overtime.

That latest loss puts even more pressure on Rutgers’ chances to reach a bowl game. They may need a victory this weekend over Indiana to get there.

Afterward, they play No. 1 Ohio State, travel to Wisconsin (4-2) and surging Michigan. Just like Penn State, though, at least they do get to play Army (1-5).

More than breaking bad luck?

The Nebraska Cornhuskers may be the most unfortunate team in the nation.

But that’s of little comfort to their stunned fans who certainly will be making life tough on new head coach Mike Riley. Deserving or not, Nebraska is 2-4.

Four losses by 11 total points. That adds up to the worst first half of Nebraska football in nearly 60 years.

While that is difficult enough to believe, losing each of those four in the final moments defies logic. (One monumental comeback ended with an overtime loss; Nebraska led in the final 10 seconds of the other three defeats).

Two weeks ago, the Huskers blew the lead at the end after failing to run enough clock by passing on third down … even though Illinois didn’t own a timeout. Last week, the Huskers ran three-straight running plays and couldn’t kill the clock because Wisconsin had too many timeouts left. The Badgers calmly drove into field goal range to extend the misery.

The rest of the season may hinge on Saturday’s road trip to Minnesota — another Big Ten West team with struggles but also one talented and dangerous.

If Nebraska loses again, it may be difficult to find four more victories needed for bowl game eligibility.

However, ESPN says its far too early to judge Riley in the midst of these meltdowns.

How will this team now handle the road trip to No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday? Will Penn State’s offensive growth continue?

Penn State’s defense continues to dominate, led by national sacks leader Carl Nassib (95) and cornerback Grant Haley (15).

Let’s chat about that and more tonight at 8.

The Lions’ vaunted defensed turned in a superb effort, helped by the return of safety Marcus Allen and linebacker Brandon Bell. There may not be a more disruptive 325-pound tackle around than Austin Johnson.

But most are still keying on that offense. The Lions won without star-to-be tailback Saquon Barkley and Akeel Lynch. Will either of them be back for the Buckeyes?

We’ll also hit on the rest of the Big Ten, including the recent firing of Maryland head coach Randy Edsall (York County native). What does that mean for the Lions’ game against the Terps in two weeks?

Meanwhile, check out my column today on where I think the Lions head the rest of the season.

Penn State fans have been less than thrilled with the offense they’ve seen on the field against a soft non-conference schedule to open the season. Reporters Frank Bodani and Jim Seip discuss why James Franklin and his staff might not be to blame for the lackluster play in 2015.

Indiana travels to Beaver Stadium for a noon kickoff Saturday, and the outcome of the game could hinge on what key players return to the lineup healthy for Penn State and Indiana.