Jack-you got it wrong---------when a valve is closed, the pushrod will be lower

And if you are at top dead center on the compression stroke, both valves closed and push rods down low(no cam lift) and if on top dead center on the overlap (exhaust stroke changing to intake) both valves will be open and the pushrods raised-------they should be equal(or very close) as this is the OVERLAP and how many cams are timed by using two equal length flat tappets and a straight edge across them------

Also, your problem may be associated with roller failure loosing bearing pins which will give you some play----------