5 Thoughts Before Maryland/Buffalo

Game Information

Opponent: Buffalo Bulls (0-0, 0-0 Mid-American Conference)
Location: Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium (51,802)
Date: Saturday, September 3, 2022
Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV/Radio Broadcasts: Big Ten Network, Maryland Sports Radio Network
Series Record: N/A

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Maryland will open their 2022 football season against Buffalo on Saturday afternoon in what will be the first-ever matchup between the two universities. The Bulls finished the 2021 season with a 4-8 (2-6) record, the second-worst in the Mid-American Conference. Maurice Linguist returns for his second year as the team’s head coach after having spent the previous 13 seasons as a defensive backs coach at both the collegiate and professional levels.

1. Maryland Must Take Care of Business Early

The Terrapins are currently favored by more than three touchdowns in this game, and it’s frankly not one that should be close. Buffalo’s defense ranked as one of the nation’s worst last season, and Maryland’s passing attack looks to be even more electric than it was a year ago. Getting quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa into an early rhythm and putting up a handful of early defensive stops ought to put the team on the road to a relatively easy victory.

2. What Does the Running Back Rotation Look Like?

One of the hottest competitions during spring and summer camps was the one surrounding the running back position. With a number of young players in the mix, it was redshirt freshman Roman Hemby who emerged as the coaching staff’s top option. While he only saw the field in three games last season, his explosiveness and breakaway speed were enough to win him the starting job. Maryland fans are well aware of how valuable speed is for running backs after watching Ty Johnson and Javon Leake over the years, and Hemby is a speedster in that same vein.

But as is the case in nearly every running back room in the country, the Terrapins will have multiple players splitting carries. Sophomore Colby McDonald and redshirt freshman Antwain Littleton II are the favorites to carry the ball behind Hemby. McDonald is the team’s leading returning rusher, averaging 5.4 yards per carry in 2021. He’s a more prototypical all-around back, while Littleton II is a massive short-yardage option who added a significant amount of muscle during the off-season. All three running backs do different things very well, giving offensive coordinator Dan Enos plenty of options heading into the 2022 season.

3. New Safeties Have to Be Ready

Replacing both of your starting safeties is never ideal for a defensive coordinator heading into a new season, but it’s exactly what Brian Williams will be doing this year. Nick Cross and Jordan Mosley have moved on, and they’re expected to be replaced by a combination of Beau Brade, Dante Trader, Jr., and Isaiah Hazel. While Cross and Mosley were both more comfortable playing close to the line of scrimmage, their replacements are more traditional deep safeties. This may result in more two-deep coverage looks from the Terrapins this season, which could be very helpful in limiting the deep passes they allowed far too often in 2021.

4. This Passing Attack Will Be Fun

Last season the Terrapins had one of the best passing offenses in the country, and this year looks to be no different. Tagovailoa has consistently been ranked as one of the Big Ten Conference’s best quarterbacks, and he’s poised to finish his career in College Park as perhaps the best signal-caller to ever wear a Maryland uniform.

He’ll be throwing to one of the country’s best groups of wide receivers. Dontay Demus, Jr., Rakim Jarrett, and Jeshaun Jones return for what are likely their final seasons in College Park. They’re joined by transfer Jacob Copeland, who was Florida’s leading receiver in 2021. These four, combined with a handful of blue-chip freshmen, give Tagovailoa better weapons than nearly every quarterback in the nation.

5. Watch Out For These Reserves

There are a number of reserve players on both sides of the ball to keep an eye on this season, beginning this weekend in a game that should allow head coach Michael Locksley to empty his bench before it’s over. Offensively, watch for the young wide receivers. Octavian Smith, Jr., Leon Haughton, Jr., and Shaleak Knotts are all 4-star freshmen who could make an impact in 2022 and beyond. While Smith, Jr. was the only one to make the team’s initial two-deep depth chart, they all should have a chance to see the field on Saturday afternoon.

On the defensive side of the ball, look for the young linebackers. Freshman Caleb Wheatland has been one of the standouts during spring and summer camps, along with fellow freshman Kellan Wyatt. Additionally, freshman cornerbacks Lionell Whitaker and Gavin Gibson both made the two-deep depth chart and are worth keeping an eye on.