2022 Terps Football: The Focus This Week Vs. Michigan State

I’m not one to praise moral victories. But the Terps just played the No. 4 team in the country and were never out of it for 60 minutes. I’ll take it. This Maryland team is one of the best we’ve seen in years and doesn’t appear to be backing down from anyone. But falling just short against Michigan in the Big House now leads to expectation that the Terps should have a good chance to beat Michigan State at home.

Unlike the undefeated Wolverines, the Spartans are 2-2 and are coming to College Park off of back-to-back losses to Washington and Minnesota. The 34-7 loss to the Golden Golphers was a particularly bad look for Mel Tucker’s team. 

The Spartans will certainly be motivated, but do they have the talent to beat a Maryland team that has to be feeling confident despite a loss last week. This is going to be a crucial game for Maryland’s season because a win could set the tone and put the Terps on a trajectory toward a bowl game, but a loss could make most of the rest of the season feel like must wins.

With such a big game looming in College Park, here’s who we’ll be watching closely…

Maryland Players to watch for…

Corey Dyches: Dyches is coming off of a season-high 60 yards against Michigan. The former wide receiver turned tight end is a big body with good hands and he should be someone Taulia Tagovailoa can lean on when his talented wide receivers are blanketed. Unfortunately, the Terps have gotten next to nothing from Dontay Demus this season. Jeshaun Jones and Rakim Jarrett have been hit or miss, and Jacob Copeland has been pretty good but far from a game-changer. Dyches is the leading tight end in receptions and has plenty of opportunity to carve out a bigger role in this offense. While the Spartans focus on the wideouts with the accolades, Tagovailoa would be wise to target his tight end a few times.

Antwain Littleton II: Littleton has been the second back in the pecking order this season in Maryland’s backfield and he is a beast on the goal line. ‘Baby Bus’ is big and fast and would be a problem for any defense if he were to get rolling. Michigan State is probably mostly preparing for the explosion of Roman Hemby, but if the Terps hit them with more Littleton power, that could be a nice little wrinkle in the game plan.

Dante Trader Jr: Trader has been one of Maryland’s best defensive backs this season and, while Jakorian Bennett and Tarheeb Still get all the attention, Trader is producing game in and game out and has proven to be a good tackler for his position. Michigan State is a team with five wide receivers who already have 100 yards or more this season and quarterback Payton Thorne has many options to turn to in this offense. Trader will have a tough matchup regardless of who is covering and his services will be needed big time in this game.

Michigan State Players to Watch for…

Jalen Berger: A former Maryland recruiting target, Berger leads the Spartans in rushing this season with 267 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also has 7 receptions for 58 yards. The sophomore from Newark, New Jersey, is strong and explosive. He has big-game potential and the Terps are coming off a game where they let another former Terps recruit break a program rushing record against them. The Terps have to prove they can stop the run in this one going up against another good back.

Keon Coleman: While Michigan State has many good wide receivers, Coleman is the best one. He leads the Spartans with 19 receptions, 261 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound sophomore wideout has an NFL body and major skill. After seeing what Rahsee Rice of SMU did to the Terps, I’m slightly worried about this matchup, but hopefully defensive coordinator Brian Williams and Maryland’s defense has learned something since.

Jacoby Windmon: This might be the most excited I’ve been to write about an opposing player all season, sans Rashee Rice, But Windmon is a big (defensive) play waiting to happen. The senior linebacker already has 5.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles this season. He flys all over the field and thumps people. The Terps offense better be aware of him at all times because he’s coming for peoples’ heads.

Coaching Expectations…

Momentum has been built off a loss. It’s not easy to do, but a loss can sometimes build confidence. That’s where the Terps are at. But it’s up to the coaching staff to capture that momentum and now turn it into a win against another good opponent. 

No doubt coming off of two losses Michigan State noticed what the Terps did against the Spartans’ in-state rival last week. Mel Tucker’s team won’t be taking Maryland lightly. But with the game in College Park and seemingly the better roster, the Terps have to get this win.

Mike Locksley and his staff have to pull out all of the stops and get a win here. Because, as I said before, a loss here puts a ton a pressure on the rest of the season if the Terps want to make a bowl game. A win in this type of game is no longer hoped for by Maryland fans, it’s expected. That’s what happens when you start 3-0 and then play that well at the Big House. Time to take care of business and show that the Terps have arrived as a program who can build off of momentum and do something special.