Maryland vs. Indiana Predictions: Big Ten Battle Heats Up

Game Details

Where: Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, IN)

When: Saturday, September 28th at 12:00 PM EST

Watch: Big Ten Network

Betting Odds

Indiana -7.0

Over/Under 52.5

Game Preview

A Big Ten showdown helps to kick off the noon eastern slate of college football this Saturday as the Indiana Hoosiers will play host to the Maryland Terrapins. It should be a beautiful fall day and the excitement around this matchup has been building through the first three weeks of the season. There have been a lot of positive performances by both teams thus far and the Hoosiers and the Terrapins are looking for their momentum to carry them forward in this one. Recent success won’t be enough to secure a victory, as there are no sure things in divisional matchups, but whoever can limit turnovers, sustain drives, and enforce their will defensively should walk off the field with a victory. The real question is, who will cover the spread? Let’s take a look at how these Big 10 foes compare and find out who I’m riding all the way to the bank.

Maryland Terrapins Analysis

The Maryland Terrapins football program has found themselves in a niche position within the Big 10 in recent years. That position only gets a little more unclear as some big-name programs have made their move into the conference. While they are certainly not one of the upper-echelon programs, they have had recent success and even found themselves playing in bowl games. In their 2024 campaign, they currently sit at 3-1, with their only loss coming at home against Michigan State. That loss was a tough pill to swallow as the Terrapins were 7.5-point favorites and saw an early lead slip away in a game that came down to the wire.

Maryland’s Offensive Performance

Maryland bounced back in the next two weeks, taking down both Virginia and Villanova in decisive fashion. Maryland comes into this game with the 31st-best offense in terms of total yards gained, highlighted by a top 20 passing attack that averages 308.8 yards per game behind quarterback Billy Edwards. Edwards boasts a 75% completion percentage and has thrown for 1155 yards, including eight touchdowns to just two interceptions.

Key Players

The Terrapins have a clear number-one receiver in Tai Felton, who has accounted for 604 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 41 receptions. His 41 receptions are nearly double that of number two receiving threat Kaden Prather, who has caught 21 balls for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Beyond this duo Maryland has had little production and tends to spread the ball between their running backs and tight ends.

Indiana Hoosiers Analysis

The Indiana Hoosiers, statistically, look like one of the juggernauts in all of college football. They are currently undefeated at 4-0 and are ranked extremely high offensively and defensively. They have all the makings of a complete football team that can adapt their game plan and beat opponents in a number of different ways.

Indiana’s Offensive Prowess

Led by quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the Hoosiers average 516.8 yards per game and are ranked in the top 30 in both passing and rushing proficiency. They are currently the 5th best team nationally in terms of points scored and 4th best in 3rd down percentage. These big stats have seen a number of receivers and running backs fill their game logs, but they utilize a committee in both phases of the game.

Defensive Strength

Defensively, Indiana ranks within the top 20 against the pass and the run and is tied for 7th in overall yards allowed. They have only conceded an average of 9.3 points per game, and they have a propensity to create turnovers. Their competition to date has been much weaker than Maryland’s, so this will really be their first true test.

Expert Pick and Prediction

My Pick: Over 52.5 (-110)

I believe that Indiana’s defensive statistics have been skewed due to the level of competition they have faced. The Hoosiers have yet to face an opponent with a winning record and have coasted from start to finish in each of their first four games. I expect a regression defensively, but not offensively, as the Terrapins allowed a slow-playing Michigan State squad to tally 27 points. In what should be a very pass-heavy game plan on both sides, watch for the scoreboard to constantly light up. Take the over and enjoy the show.