5 Thoughts Before Maryland Plays Northwestern

Game Information

Opponent: Northwestern Wildcats (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten Conference)
Location: Ryan Field (47,130)
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV/Radio Broadcasts: Big Ten Network, Maryland Sports Radio Network
Series Record: 2-1 Northwestern

(Discuss this article on the BSL Message Board here.)
(Listen to the Talking Terps game preview on BSL Radio here.)

After a bye week which followed their first two losses of the season, Maryland’s football team is back in action against Northwestern this weekend. It’s been a tumultuous season for the Wildcats following the firing of longtime head coach Pat Fitzgerald following allegations of hazing within the program which included sexual abuse. David Braun is the interim head coach, and likely has his team performing as well as could be expected given the circumstances. This game will be a battle between two teams who are each in fifth place of their respective divisions.

1. An Opportunity to Get Back on Track

Maryland’s last game against Illinois was a tough one to take for fans, players, and coaches alike. Head coach Michael Locksley speaks a lot about the “standard” he expects his team to play with, and their performance in that game certainly didn’t meet it. While it’s concerning that losses to teams like the Fighting Illini are still happening in his fifth year at the helm, particularly at home for homecoming, this week represents an opportunity to bounce back and build momentum for the second half of the season. Games against Penn State, Michigan, and Rutgers still loom on the schedule and the Terrapins will need to be at their best to finish the year in the way that they want to.

2. Northwestern’s Uncertainty at Quarterback

The Wildcats began the season with Ben Bryant behind center, and he started their first five games. He’s a sixth-year senior, with two stints at Cincinnati and one at Eastern Michigan already under his belt. Unfortunately, he suffered an upper body injury against Penn State this year and has missed the team’s last two games. His status for this weekend is still up in the air, and it’ll be Brendan Sullivan’s job to fill in once again if he’s unable to play.

The two quarterbacks are a bit different, with Bryant a more traditional pocket passer and Sullivan more mobile inside and outside of the pocket. Neither one of them has been particularly efficient so far this season, each completing about 60% of their pass attempts. They’ve both taken good care of the ball however, combining for 13 total touchdowns and six total turnovers.

3. Facing a One-Sided Defense

To this point in the year, Braun’s defense has a clear strength and a clear weakness. His pass defense is one of the best in the country, allowing just 176 yards through the air per game (11th in the country). No team has thrown for more than 220 yards on them, and just two have recorded multiple passing touchdowns. Their run defense has been a different story, allowing 173 yards on the ground per game (99th in the country). Opponents are averaging 4.4 yards per carry against them, and they’ve allowed 16 rushing touchdowns.

Northwestern’s defense represents a clear opportunity to spark what’s been a relatively stagnant rushing attack for the Terrapins. While their passing game has been and always will be the focus, and for good reason given the personnel at hand, taking just a bit of pressure off of quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa could be crucial in their games down the stretch. Look for Maryland to establish the run early and often in what could be a bad-weather day outside of Chicago.

4. Watch Out For the Big Play

Northwestern’s offense has struggled mightily throughout the season, but one thing that they do have is big play potential in their passing attack. Bryce Kirtz averages just under 16 yards per catch, and showed his full potential in the team’s lone conference win against Minnesota. In that game, he caught 10 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. He possesses excellent straight-line speed, and Maryland’s defense will need to be aware of him regardless of who starts behind center.

While their running game has been one of the country’s worst so far this year, they may have found something in running back Anthony Tyus III. He’s seen his carry totals tick up over the last couple weeks, and is averaging more than eight yards per carry during that time. At 6’1”, 225 lbs. he’s the type of back who Maryland has had issues with so expect offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian to get him involved this weekend.

5. Back to Full Strength

Maryland had their longest injury report of the season last week, with TE Corey Dyches, OL Corey Bullock, DB Tarheeb Still, and DB Dante Trader, Jr. all missing their game against Illinois. All four starters are expected to return for this game, which is excellent news for Locksley. Dyches was certainly missed two weeks ago, with the Terrapins struggling on third downs for the first time this season. His presence over the middle against a Northwestern defense which likes to sit back and play coverage will be key for Tagovailoa. Still had missed the last few games, and while the team’s pass defense held their own fairly well, his return along with Trader, Jr.’s will certainly shore things up in the secondary.