Northwestern Wildcats (3-4) vs Maryland Terrapins (5-2)
Game Info: Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 12:00 pm (Ryan Field)
Betting Odds: Northwestern Wildcats +13.5 -- Over/Under: 48.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Maryland Terrapins will play the Northwestern Wildcats in a Big Ten game on Saturday afternoon at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. Maryland has lost two games in a row, while Northwestern has alternated wins and losses over their first seven games this year.
Maryland Preview
The Maryland Terrapins are 5-2 (2-2) this year after they lost to Illinois by a score of 27-24 in their last game. Maryland was tied at 14 going into halftime and they were tied at 24 late in the fourth, but Illinois kicked a game winning field goal at the end of regulation. The Terrapins were out gained by a total of 380-337 and went 6-16 on third downs in the loss. Maryland won the first five games of the season, but they have lost two in a row to Ohio State and Illinois. The Maryland offense is scoring 33.4 points per game with 281.4 passing yards per game and 140.9 rushing yards per game, while going 46% on third downs. Taulia Tagovailoa has thrown for 1,926 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions for the Terrapins this year. Roman Hemby has rushed for 414 yards and four touchdowns, while Jeshaun Jones has caught 27 passes for 418 yards and two scores. The Maryland defense is allowing 18.6 points against per game this year.
Northwestern Preview
The Northwestern Wildcats are 3-4 (1-3) this season after they lost to Nebraska by a score of 17-9 last week. Northwestern led 3-0 and 6-3, but Nebraska scored to end the first half and to open the second half to pull away. The Wildcats out gained Nebraska by a total of 257-248, but did force two turnovers in the game. Northwestern only has two wins against FBS teams this year, which came against Minnesota and UTEP. The Northwestern offense is averaging 20.1 points per game with 199.4 passing yards per game and 99.9 rushing yards per game, while going 41.9% on third downs. Ben Bryant (questionable) has thrown for 926 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. If Bryant can’t go, it will most likely be Brendan Sullivan under center for the Wildcats. Cam Porter has rushed for 319 yards and one touchdown, while Bryce Kirtz has caught 27 passes for 423 yards and three scores. The Northwestern defense is giving up 25.9 points against per game this season.
Northwestern Wildcats Team Facts
- Northwestern has lost seven of its last eight games in October.
- Northwestern has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five October games as a home underdog.
- Four of Northwestern's last five games against non-AP-ranked teams at Ryan Field have gone OVER the total points line.
Maryland Terrapins Team Facts
- Maryland has won six of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Maryland has failed to cover the spread in 13 of its last 14 road games in October.
- Five of Maryland's last six road games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Pick
Maryland played decently well against Ohio State two games ago, but they came out and laid a big egg against Illinois in their last game. Northwestern hasn’t had much luck this year, but they do have more wins than I thought they would have at this point of the season. The Wildcats offense is just under 300 yards per game, which is not enough to hang with Maryland. I think we will see a much better effort from the Terrapins here and I like Maryland to cover.
David’s Pick Maryland -13.5
AUTHOR: David Racey
Mitch's Take...
