Terps Football: 5 Thoughts Before Maryland/Northwestern

Game Information

Opponent: Northwestern Wildcats (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten Conference)
Location: Ryan Field (47,130)
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2020
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV/Radio Broadcasts: Big Ten Network, Maryland Sports Radio Network
Series Record: 1-0 Northwestern

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Maryland will kick off their second season under head coach Michael Locksley in Evanston, IL on Saturday night, the first of nine games in what will be a conference-only schedule due to the impacts of COVID-19. The team has been working hard on the practice field, and is anxious to play games that matter after a disappointing finish in 2019.

Northwestern is entering their 15th season under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, but will be breaking in a new offensive coordinator and starting quarterback. Mike Bajakian takes over play-calling duties from longtime Fitzgerald confidant Mick McCall, with Bajakian most recently serving as Boston College’s offensive coordinator in 2019. Indiana transfer Peyton Ramsey will start behind center for the Wildcats, and he boasts a 2-1 record against Maryland in his career with the Hoosiers.

1. Who Starts at Quarterback?

As has been the case since the 2017 season, the Terrapins will be featuring a new starting quarterback in their first game. Throughout the summer and into the fall, Locksley has overseen a competition between redshirt freshman Lance LeGendre and Alabama transfer Taulia Tagovailoa. While the team doesn’t plan to name a starter before taking the field on Saturday night, all signs seem to point towards Tagovailoa.

While Josh Jackson seemed to struggle last season to grasp Locksley’s RPO (run-pass option)-based scheme, Tagovailoa’s experience and skill-set are perfect for an offense that requires quick decision-making and strong mesh point abilities. He has enough accuracy to complete the necessary slants and screens, enough arm strength to take the top off of defenses on play-action passes, and enough mobility to force defenses to respect his running ability.

2. Have the Lines Improved?

Ever since Maryland joined the Big Ten Conference in 2014, there has been a prominent gap between their offensive and defensive lines and those of the conference’s blue blood programs. In order to have success against the likes of Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State the Terrapins must improve their line play, something they’ve been unable to do thus far. Last season, the team allowed the most sacks and sacked opposing quarterbacks at the lowest rate in the conference. They also allowed the 3rd-most rushing yards ahead of only Rutgers and Illinois.

2020 provides some reasons for optimism, however. After 5 straight seasons of different offensive line coaches, John Reagan returns for his second year leading that group. Bolstered by a few junior college additions and freshmen, the line is deeper and more experienced than last season’s. The defensive line has also benefited from some fresh blood from the junior college ranks, and will be an average of nearly 20 pounds heavier than last year.

3. Splitting Snaps at Wide Receiver

Wide receiver looks to be the deepest and possibly most talented position on the roster this season for the Terrapins. Dontay Demus, Jr. returns after an impressive sophomore campaign, and will be rejoined by Jeshaun Jones who missed the entirety of last year with an injury. The entire unit received a boost with the addition of 5-star freshman Rakim Jarrett, the best recruit Maryland has had since Stefon Diggs committed to the program in 2012. Add players like Darryl Jones and Brian Cobbs to the mix and you have a very talented group of pass-catchers vying for playing time in 2020.

Look for offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery to utilize a lot more 4-wide receiver formations than he did last season, particularly with the lack of depth at the tight end position. Locksley’s offense has always been built to his team’s strengths, and the strength of this year’s team certainly looks to be its stable of wideouts.

4. Who Steps Up in the Secondary?

One of the biggest tasks for defensive coordinator Jon Hoke this season will be replacing all of the secondary talent that from 2019 that has since moved on. Starting cornerbacks Tino Ellis and Marcus Lewis, and starting strong safety Antoine Brooks, Jr. all graduated leaving big shoes to fill this year.

Nick Cross returns after a stellar freshman season as the leader not only of the secondary, but possibly the entire defense from his strong safety position. Alongside him, the team will get Antwaine Richardson back after missing all of last season due to injury. Both cornerback positions are still in flux, with a number of young players listed as co-starters on the team’s first depth chart of the season. In order for Hoke to dial up the blitzes he wants to with his front seven, this unit will need to be stronger in coverage than they were last year.

5. How Different Will the Running Game Look?

Last season, the clear strength of the Terrapins’ offense was its rushing attack led by the two-headed monster of Anthony McFarland, Jr. and Javon Leake. With both players leaving school early after 2019, the team will likely be forced to turn to a larger committee of backs. Senior Jake Funk is listed as the starter for Saturday night, but expect to see plenty of freshman Isaiah Jacobs who’s had a very impressive summer camp. Both are similar one-cut runners whose styles fit well with Locksley’s RPO-based scheme. While we may not see the plethora of explosive runs that we saw from the offense last year, there’s more than enough talent in this running back room to compliment what ought to be a more dynamic passing attack.