Nov 73 min read

No. 1 Oregon Ducks Set to Host The Maryland Terrapins

Dillon Gabriel after a win at Autzen Stadium — © Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten Conference) are set to host the Maryland Terrapins (4-4, 1-4) on at 7:00 p.m. EST Nov. 9 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. The top-ranked Ducks are coming off a convincing 38-17 victory against the defending champion Michigan Wolverines (5-4, 3-3) at The Big House last weekend. Oregon is a 25-point home favorite against the Terrapins, per ESPN Bet.

What's at Stake for The Ducks?

An undefeated season remains at stake for the flock up in Eugene. Oregon is currently sitting at 9-0 with a clear path to a B1G championship appearance in Indianapolis if they win just three more games. Oregon is favored against Maryland by four scores and will most certainly be favored against Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3) and Washington (5-4, 3-3).

The Ducks are first in the B1G, tied with the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers (9-0, 6-0). However, the Hoosiers still have to play Ohio State (7-1, 4-1). The Buckeyes lost to Oregon earlier in the year but will be the first big test for Indiana. The outcome of the game between the Hoosiers and Ohio State will not alter Oregon's position in the B1G championship provided the Ducks remain undefeated.

Key Players: Oregon Ducks

Offense: QB Dillon Gabriel

Gabriel has catapulted himself into the Heisman race by performing at an elite level and will have an opportunity to exploit a suspect Maryland pass defense. The Terps are allowing 28.9 points per game so far this season, which doesn't even rank in the top 80. Their pass defense also allows 292.9 yards per game, which ranks no. 128 nationally. This is not a good trend for the Terps, who will have their hands full with Oregon's passing offense.

Defense: CB Jabbar Muhammad

Muhammad, the Washington transfer, is having a big year for the Ducks. He left the Huskies after their roster and coaching staff were depleted and came to Oregon, where he mentioned he always wanted to be. Muhammad has eight pass deflections on the year and has been tight in coverage. He will be tasked with a tough matchup against Tai Felton. Felton has 73 receptions, 907 yards and six touchdowns this season. Felton is ranked second nationally in receptions and sixth in yards. Muhammad will have to keep Felton contained.

Key Players: Maryland Terrapins

Offense: WR Tai Felton

As mentioned earlier, Felton is having a huge senior season. He is almost certainly on NFL scouts' radar with how he has been performing along with his 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame. Felton will be going up against the best corner he has faced all year, and if Muhammad neutralizes him, then Maryland stands no chance to keep up with Oregon's offense at home.

Defense: Ruben Hyppolite II

Despite the Terps' poor defensive performance as a whole, Hyppolite was tied for the most total tackles (6) while also having 1.5 tackles for losses. Hyppolite and the other Terps defensive backs will be tasked to try and contain Oregon's elite weapons. The Ducks will be without Tez Johnson, but still have players like Evan Stewart, Jordan James, Terrance Ferguson, Traeshon Holden, Justius Lowe and others.

Trends to Watch

A trend to watch for this game is how offensive coordinator Will Stein opens up the passing game. As mentioned earlier, the Terps' pass defense is one of the worst in college football. That said, it could be easy pickings for Gabriel and the Ducks. Gabriel has an opportunity to put himself atop the Heisman race with another elite performance and will likely play very well. There is a good chance Gabriel and other starters don't play much of the fourth quarter of this game, so watch out for some new faces to hit the field late on Saturday night.