Penn State set for its biggest challenge yet in Texas A&M

To open the Mike Rhoades era in Happy Valley, the Nittany Lions went undefeated at home against a litany of teams whose chances at an NCAA Tournament bid are slim to none.

Now, they will face their first big test of the season in a Thanksgiving afternoon matchup against the Texas A&M Aggies.

While both teams sit at 4-0 records, each program is in a very different place.

Just this week, the Aggies were elevated from No. 13 to No. 12 in the AP Top 25 rankings, while Penn State remains unranked.

Texas A&M also possesses more continuity in both its staff and roster.

Led by Buzz Williams, who is now in his fifth year as head coach of the team, the Aggies have eight returning players from last year’s squad, four of whom are returning starters.

On the other end, the Nittany Lions have just five returners on the current team with none in a starting role last season and two being walk-ons.

In his weekly media availability, Coach Rhoades touched on this discrepancy in experience as a key component of the ensuing matchup.

“They’re an established program, we’re not an established program. We’re figuring out here on the fly to build an established culture and program. So that’s their advantage.”

Penn State also has some interesting, albeit recent, history against Texas A&M as the two met last postseason in the NCAA Tournament’s opening round.

The Nittany Lions ended the Aggies 2022-2023 campaign in a fairly lopsided final score of 76-59.

While this seemingly provides easy chalkboard material for Buzz Williams and his squad, the emotion is slightly different on Penn State’s side.

As previously mentioned, this current roster is littered with newcomers, primarily coming from the transfer portal.

Because of this, not many of these players experienced that most recent contest against the Aggies, as well as their new regime of coaches.

While potentially lacking that fire that may be brewing under Texas A&M and their group of familiar faces, Coach Rhoades wants his team to be prepared for the “revenge” narrative entering the game.

“All those guys from Texas A&M involved, if you’re not a competitor and not thinking that, you’re wasting an opportunity… Coaches use everything they can for motivation and to get their team ready, so I’m sure they will use it. We’ll make sure our guys are aware of it.”

Not only does this contest mark the first ranked matchup for the blue and white, but it will also be the first game of the season not played at home in the Bryce Jordan Center.

While still not technically a road game, as it will be played at the neutral site of the State Farm Field House in Orlando, Florida, the different environment will pose a new challenge of its own for this Nittany Lions team.

Tip-off is set for noon on Thanksgiving and will act as the commencement of the ESPN Events Invitational.

Jakob Schnur is a fourth year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jks6463@psu.edu.