Game #9 Preview: Maryland At Rutgers

How To Watch, Stream & Listen

Maryland (4-4; 2-3) At Rutgers (3-5; 2-3)

Where: High Point Solutions Stadium (capacity 52,454)

Kick-off: Saturday, November 4th at 3:30 p.m. ET

TV: Big Ten Network - Brandon Gaudin, Glen Mason, and Elise Menaker

Stream: BTN2GO

Radio: Rutgers IMG Sports Network with Chris Carlin, Ray Lucas, Eric LeGrand and Anthony Fucilli - WCTC 1450-AM, WOR 710-AM, WENJ 97.3-FM, WNJE 920-AM, Sirius 126, XM 196

Current Spread: Maryland -3

Series History: Maryland leads 7-5 all-time dating back to 1920, including the last two meetings as Big Ten members

SB Nation Michigan site: Testudo Times

Maryland Statistical Leaders

Passing: Max Bortenschlager - 77 of 152 for 50.7%, 857 yards, 9 TD, 4 INT; 34 carries, 144 yards, 4.2 ypc, 2 TD

Rushing: Ty Johnson - 97 carries for 662 yards, 6.8 ypc, 4 TD; Lorenzo Harrison - 90 carries for 370 yards, 4.1 ypc, 1 TD

Receiving: DJ Moore - 51 receptions for 745 yards, 14.6 ypc, 8 TD; Taivon Jacobs - 25 receptions for 293 yards, 4 TD

Defense: DB Antoine Brooks Jr. - 46.5 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble; LB Jermaine Carter Jr. - 43 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles; DB Josh Woods - 40 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 2 INT, 1 forced fumble; Darnell Savage Jr. - 39.5 tackles, 3 INT; JC Jackson - 30.5 tackles, 3 INT

Kicking: Henry Darmstadter - 26 of 26 PAT, 4 of 6 FG, long of 51 ; Adam Greene - 6 of 6 PAT, 1 of 3 FG, long of 26

Maryland Statistical Comparison Versus Rutgers

S&P+ Advanced Stats Profiles: Maryland I Rutgers

Rutgers Advanced Stats Win Probability - 51% (per Football Study Hall)

Projected Score per Football Study Hall: Rutgers 26.1 Maryland 25.8

S&P+ Team Ranking: Maryland 92nd; Rutgers 89th

S&P+ Offensive Ranks: Maryland 71st; Rutgers 115th

S&P+ Defensive Ranks: Maryland 84th; Rutgers 44th

(conference ranks noted below)

Scoring Offense: Maryland 30.6 ppg (4th); Rutgers 21.5 ppg (13th)

Scoring Defense: Maryland 37.0 ppg (14th); Rutgers 25.0 ppg (10th)

Strength v. Strength:

Interceptions- Rutgers 10 (2nd) v. Maryland 9 (3rd)

Matchup Mismatches:

Rutgers Defense Opponent 3rd Down Conversions 30.5% (2nd) v. Maryland Offense 3rd Down Conversions 31% (13th)

Something Has To Give:

Rutgers Passing Offense 129.5 ypg (14th) v. Maryland Passing Defense 277.9 ypg (14th);

Average Time Of Possession: Maryland 26:59 (14th); Rutgers 30:11 (6th)

Keys To The Game

Minimize Big Plays From Maryland

The Terps can score quickly on offense, specifically with explosive playmakers Ty Johnson and DJ Moore. Rutgers has a tendency to give up big plays and this is a major area of concern entering this game. The Rutgers defense needs to continue to play a bend, but not break style and force Maryland to score with sustained drives rather than quick hits. Special teams is a major factor here, as punter Ryan Anderson needs to have another strong performance and pin the Terps deep in their own territory. Rutgers did a great job of this against Purdue, but Maryland is more dangerous with their quick score potential.

Run It Down Their Throats

Despite Maryland having the worst pass defense in the conference, I expect OC Jerry Kill to try and establish the run early in this game. He'll continue his strategy of wanting to dominate the time of possession and another way to contain Maryland's playmakers on offense is to keep them on the sidelines. Hopefully, Raheem Blackshear is able to play in this game, as he could be a big factor. Janarion Grant should be used in the run game as well. However, the ability of Gis Edwards and Robert Martin to grind out yards and give the offense plenty of 3rd and short situations will be key in this game. Expect Rutgers to try and pound it against Maryland in hopes of breaking their defense in the fourth quarter.

Play Action Passing

With that being said, Rutgers has to put together some big plays in the passing game to win. Establishing the run game will be key in setting up some play action calls for Kill as the game progresses. Quick passes to Blackshear out of the backfield, as well as slants to Grant should be there against the Maryland defense. I'm confident this could be the best game all season for Jerome Washington, who could be a bull in a china shop in the middle of the Terps defense. Kill has to find a way for Gio Rescigno to get the ball to his best playmakers in open space. Using play action will be key to do so.

Turnover Margin

This is a key for every team in every game, but this rings especially true in this contest. Both teams have had success forcing turnovers in the pass game. Rutgers has played two games in a row without turning the ball over and was a major reason why they beat Purdue. This has been Gio's biggest asset, as he has limited mistakes. I have a feeling this will be a wild game with some freaky plays occurring. Whoever wins the turnover battle will have a serious edge in this game.

Seize The Moment

This game is a huge opportunity for both teams. The winner moves to 3-3 in conference play and will have a firm hold on fifth place. When you play in the Big Ten East, that's not a bad thing at all. Rutgers has a chance to really prove progress is happening with a win in this game. It would likely mean they'd finish better than last place for the first time in three seasons. They'll have the home crowd behind them and they will field the better defense. Winning ugly is key in rebuilding a program and I think Ash is getting this team to learn how to do that. If the defense can limit Maryland and minimize quick scores, Rutgers has a great chance in this game. The players need to be ready to take it to the Terps and seize the moment. This is the most winnable game left on the schedule and to keep making progress this season, they need to come out of this game as the victor.