Oct 93 min read

Maryland Hosts Northwestern, Eying First Big Ten Win

The Northwestern Wildcats (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten Conference) head east to take on the Maryland Terrapins (3-2, 0-2) at 8 p.m. on Oct. 11 in College Park, Md.

Maryland and Northwestern are both exiting a loss to the undefeated No. 18 Indiana Hoosiers (6-0, 3-0). Northwestern more recently as Maryland faced them before the bye.

Both losses weren’t pretty and were similar. They scored 20-plus points while allowing 40-plus points. However, Maryland’s game was on the road.

Northwestern’s best game this season wasn’t even a win. The Wildcats took the previously undefeated Duke Blue Devils (5-1, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) into overtime earlier on in the season, which was a quality loss. A win over Maryland would be the Wildcats' first quality win.

Maryland has a solid win already over Virginia (4-1, 2-0), being the Cavaliers' only loss, so the resume of Maryland is better than Northwestern’s, but not by a wide margin.

What’s at Stake?

The biggest thing at stake for both schools is getting into the win column in the Big Ten. Both teams are 0-2 in the conference.

The Big Ten is tough this year, three of the top four teams in the latest Associated Press Top 25 Poll are from the conference, something never seen before. So, getting a Big Ten win isn’t easy.

Luckily, one team will come out of the week with a conference win.

Both teams ultimately are fighting to go bowling with how the year has played out so far. Maryland is on pace while Northwestern could use the win.

Maryland has the upper edge on Northwestern because the Terrapins are 3-2. That doesn’t mean the Wildcats can’t change their season around and get back to .500 with a win.

However, it’ll be more difficult for Northwestern, who is on the road.

Realistically, neither team is going to win the conference, so both of them are playing to be above mediocrity. Northwestern and Maryland are bobbing up and down on that line.

Key Players: Maryland

Tai Felton, Wide Receiver

Maryland has produced NFL-level wide receivers in the past, Stefon Diggs and D.J. Moore being the most notable, and the Terrapins could have another with senior Tai Felton.

Felton leads Maryland and the Big Ten with 642 receiving yards and also has 5 touchdowns. He’s a big-play threat and averages 14 yards per catch.

The senior could have a big game against a Wildcats’ secondary that allows the fourth-most yards through the air in the conference.

Glendon Miller, Defensive Back

Maryland has a pair of defensive backs who have 3 interceptions. Glendon Miller stands a little above the pair by taking one of his to the house. Miller also has 3 pass breakups on the season and has recovered a fumble.

Miller, as a redshirt senior, is one of the leaders in the secondary and on the team and is poised for a big game against a poor Wildcats’ pass attack.

Key Players: Northwestern

Jack Lausch, Quarterback

After fighting through the depth chart, redshirt sophomore has earned the starting role. Lausch hasn’t played outstanding, throwing for 523 yards and 4touchdowns with 2 interceptions, but he can still have an impact on the game Friday.

It’ll be interesting to see if he continues to progress in his fourth start of the season.

Joseph Himon II, Running Back

Himon is the Wildcats' second-string running back and only has 1 rushing touchdown on the season. His impact is felt more in the return game, though.

Himon leads the Big Ten in kickoff return yards and averages 32.1 yards per return. He hasn’t brought one all the way back yet, but has been close. If Maryland gets caught sleeping, Himon has the potential to completely swing the momentum of the game.

Game Trends

Maryland and Northwestern have only met four times before Oct. 11 with the first meeting in just 2017.

Historically, the Wildcats have the 3-1 series lead over the Terrapins and won the last meeting. Maryland’s lone series win was at home, and both have two wins at home each.