Both Northwestern and Maryland are coming off losses to undefeated Indiana as the Wildcats visit the Terrapins on Friday night in College Park, Md.
Maryland (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) lost 42-28 to the Hoosiers on Sept. 28 despite forcing four turnovers, and its plus-11 turnover margin is tied with James Madison for the best in the FBS. The Terrapins are 0-2 in the Big Ten for the first time since 2015.
Northwestern (2-3, 0-2) fell 41-24 at home last week to Indiana and has lost three of four. The 24 points were the Wildcats’ most against an FBS opponent this season, and they rank 119th nationally in total offense (302.8 yards per game) and 120th in scoring (18.6 points per game).
- Time/TV: 7 p.m. Friday, FS1.
- Line: Maryland by 11½.
- Series: Northwestern leads 3-1.
Key matchup
Nothwestern QB Jack Lausch vs. Maryland secondary
Lausch bounced back from a shaky game against Washington to throw for 243 yards and two touchdowns against Indiana, though the Wildcats’ lack of scoring is reflected in their poor ranking (112th) in passing yards per game. The good news is Maryland is 120th in passing defense (269.4 ypg), but Lausch needs to be careful: Terrapins CB Jalen Huskey and S Glendon Miller share the Big Ten lead with three interceptions each.
Players to watch
Northwestern: LB Xander Mueller leads the Wildcats in tackles (36) and tackles for a loss (three) and made eight stops in both of Northwestern’s Big Ten games. The graduate student is part of a defense that has amassed 12 sacks, the Wildcats’ most through five games since 2016.
Maryland: WR Tai Felton leads the Big Ten in catches (46) and receiving yards (642), the latter figure the most for a Terrapin through five games since Jermaine Lewis had 670 in 1993. Felton left the loss at Indiana early in the second half with an undisclosed injury, and if he’s unable to play effectively, it would be an obstacle for the Terps offense.
Facts & figures
Northwestern won 33-27 last year as DE Aidan Hubbard had three of the Wildcats’ six sacks. … Maryland is 1-1 at home against Northwestern, with a 37-21 loss in 2017 in the teams’ first meeting and a 31-24 victory two seasons ago. … The Wildcats have allowed 466 rushing yards (93.2 per game, 17th in the FBS), their fewest through five games since 2012 (450). … The Terps are 2-2 in Friday night conference games since joining the Big Ten. This is their first Friday conference game since a 51-14 loss to Iowa in 2021. … Maryland is 0-9 coming off an open date since 2017, including two created by pandemic cancellations in 2020.
