Opponent: Northwestern (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten)
Location: Maryland Stadium, College Park, Maryland
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14 (EST)
Last week: Maryland lost to Ohio State, 62-14. Northwestern lost to Penn State 31-7.
Last matchup: This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools in football.
Odds: Northwestern -3.5, per Bovada
TV: Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks and Roddy Jones, ESPN2
Radio: Johnny Holliday and Tim Strachan, 980 AM (DC) and 105.7 FM (Baltimore)
Student Radio: Megan Smedley and Alex Flum, WMUC Sports
Weather forecast: 76 degrees and cloudy
Three things to watch for the Terps
The still-to-be-determined quarterback: Is it going to be Max Bortenschlager or Caleb Henderson? As of Thursday night, we still do not have a definitive answer from head coach DJ Durkin and offensive coordinator Walt Bell. Whoever is under center will be facing a Wildcats defense that has allowed 248.6 passing yards per game, the second-worst mark in the Big Ten.
RB Lorenzo Harrison: Lorenzo Harrison was averaging over four yards per carry before the Terps went into Columbus. Then Harrison struggled against the Buckeyes’ run defense, averaging less than a yard per carry. He will be looking to rebound this Saturday.
Maryland’s special teams: While the Terps had a rough day on both offense and defense against Ohio State, they had one of the best games of the season on special teams. Maryland blocked a field goal and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the Horseshoe. The Terps being able to create big plays again this week would go a long way toward earning the victory.
Three things to watch for Northwestern
Run defense: Last week, Northwestern kept Penn State’s Saquon Barkley in check, holding the Heisman Trophy frontrunner to under 100 rushing yards. The Wildcats also did not allow Barkley to beat them in the passing game, allowing him just two catches for nine yards. Stopping Barkley is no easy feat, and the Northwestern will look for an encore performance of slowing down Ty Johnson and Lorenzo Harrison.
RB Justin Jackson: You may be familiar with “the other Justin Jackson,” referring to the current Sacramento King and former North Carolina Tar Heel. Now meet “the other other Justin Jackson,” Northwestern’s running back. This Jackson, while not a Canadian who he is expected to be a first-round pick in the NBA draft, is not too shabby himself. He leads Northwestern in rushing yards and is second on the team in receptions this season.
QB Clayton Thorson: Northwestern’s signal caller has thrown seven interceptions, which is the second-most in the Big Ten. He also has -66 rushing yards on the season, so it would be fair to say he does not exactly pose a threat with his legs either. Forcing Thorson to continue to turn the ball over will be key for the Terps.
