Tag: Maryland Terrapins

3 keys to victory for Oregon against Maryland

A look at the three biggest keys to victory for the Oregon Ducks in Week 11 against the Maryland Terrapins.

The Oregon Ducks have won all nine games they have played, and they’ll take on the Maryland Terrapins this week. The Terrapins are 4-4 and coming off their second bye week of the year.

Maryland isn’t near the top of the Big Ten standings, and it isn’t among the most challenging teams Oregon has faced or will face this year. However, there are things Maryland does that could give Oregon a headache if not prepared.

Below are my three keys to victory for Oregon this week. I see a Ducks win as a strong likelihood, but these three things should ensure the 10th victory of 2024 for the Ducks.

Shut down the Terrapins’ passing game

Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

My eyes popped when I saw that Maryland’s 314.5 passing yards per game is leading the Big Ten in 2024. The Terrapins have yet to face a top defense, but that figure deserves plenty of credit. Oregon has one of the top defenses in the Big Ten, but it will need to be at the top of its game this week to contain the Maryland passing game. Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon’s No. 1 cornerback, will need to have a strong day. He’ll be matched up against Maryland’s top receiver Tai Felton. This season, Felton has accumulated 73 catches (first in Big Ten), 907 yards (first in Big Ten) and six touchdowns.

Keep up the air raid

On the flip side, the Terrapins allow the most passing yards in the Big Ten with 275.8 per game. Oregon has one of the best passing offenses in the country, and it should be able to get after Maryland’s secondary early. The Ducks are without deep threat Tez Johnson this week (and probably beyond), but there are plenty of explosive threats that Dillon Gabriel looks to get the ball to.

Protect the ball

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The easiest way to lose games against teams like Maryland is by being silly with the ball. If Maryland is allowed extra possessions, it could capitalize and steal some scores, putting the Ducks in a precarious position. If Oregon protects the ball, as they’ve been done for most of the season, they should be in good shape to win this game.

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Oregon injury updates for Week 11 game vs. Maryland

All the latest updates and news on Oregon’s injury report ahead of a Week 11 game vs. Maryland. 

For the most part, the Oregon Ducks football team has done a good job avoiding major injuries to major personnel. It’s one of the reasons the Ducks are 9-0 and ranked No. 1 in all the polls.

Then the Michigan game happened.

Everyone associated with the Ducks football team let out a gasp when receiver Tez Johnson came up holding his shoulder after a tackle. He missed the majority of that game and it was feared Johnson would be out for the remainder of the season.

Luckily for Oregon, according to coach Dan Lanning, the injuries to Johnson and offensive lineman Marcus Harper II, weren’t as serious as once feared and those two will return this season.

That time, at least for Johnson, will not be this week as the Ducks prepare to play a 4-4 Maryland squad.

Oregon injury report

  • Tez Johnson — Shoulder — Out
  • Marcus Harper — Knee — Out 
  • Matthew Bedford — Knee — Out
  • Jahlil Florence — Leg — Out
  • Dave Iuli — Foot — Questionable 
  • Gary Bryant Jr. — Unspecified — Probable
  • Kyler Kasper — Leg — Out
  • Jack Ressler — Unspecified — Out
  • Fox Crader — Unspecified — Out
  • My’Keil Gardner — Foot — Doubtful
  • Dakoda Fields — Knee — Out

Tez Johnson injury update

Johnson went out of the Michigan game on the first possession when he was tackled and landed on by a Wolverine defender. He came out immediately holding his shoulder, and he went into the locker room. When he came back, Johnson was in street clothes. After fearing the worst, Lanning said Johnson will be back this season.

Marcus Harper II injury update

Offensive lineman Marcus Harper II went down in the second half of the Michigan game holding his knee. He walked off the field, but he wasn’t able to return. Like Johnson, it was feared Harper would miss the rest of the season, but Lanning put those fears to rest by saying Harper would return.

Gary Bryant, Jr. injury update

After missing most of the season, it looks like Oregon will see the return of Gary Bryant, Jr. Lanning said Bryant is ready to help out on the field, which is good news, especially with Johnson missing time. One extra receiver that is available can go a long ways at this point of the season.

Previewing the Maryland defense before Saturday’s showdown at Autzen

Maryland’s defense has taken a downturn in the last month and the Ducks are looking to exploit several areas.

Maryland was 3-1 to begin the season and the Terrapins were thinking they could be players in the Big Ten.

But then Indiana scored 42 points on them and the defense and the team as a whole haven’t completely recovered. As with typical .500 teams, one could say the defense is consistently inconsistent.

The Terrapins have had trouble keeping the opponent out of the end zone for the past month and the offense hasn’t been able to keep up. The Ducks are thinking that trend is going to continue on Saturday.

On the other hand, Maryland will have had two weeks to correct those problems as it enjoyed a much-needed bye week before making the cross-country flight to the west coast.

In their last outing, the Terps played an average Minnesota team and it turned ugly as the Golden Gophers defeated them 48-23.

Maryland’s defensive questions are difficult to grasp because the Terps have some very good players on the field. But for some reason, it’s just coming together as a unit.

The linebackers lead this defense, beginning with Ruben Hyppolite II. He’s an all-conference performer from a year ago and he leads the Terrapins with 39 tackles, 4.5 for loss and an interception.

Hyppolite’s fellow linebacker, Caleb Wheatland, leads the teams with six tackles for loss among his 31 total tackles and he has three sacks.

Opponents tend to attack the Maryland secondary as often as they can. In their last game with Minnesota, the Terps allowed 320 yards through the air and Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer tossed for a quartet of touchdowns.

As a team, the Terrapin defense allows 276 yards in the air and another 105 on the ground. If Maryland wants to be in the game with the No. 1 Ducks, those numbers will have to improve or Oregon will have a relatively easy time of hit and Dillon Gabriel will just add on to his Heisman candidacy.

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Oregon Ducks unveil alternate ‘Gang Green’ throwback uniform for Week 11 vs. Maryland

The Oregon Ducks revealed what uniforms they will be wearing for the Week 11 game against the Maryland Terrapins.

While the Oregon Ducks and Maryland Terrapins have no history against each other on the football field, we know that both can bring it when it comes to uniforms.

The Ducks have notoriously brought the heat when it comes to uniforms, and they will be doing the same this week against Maryland. On Wednesday evening, Oregon unveiled its new look, debuting an alternate version of the “Gang Green” throwback uniforms, this time with yellow pants.

This is the second time that Oregon is wearing the Gang Green jersey tops, which they wore the first two weeks of the season vs. Idaho and Boise State. This is the first time, though, that they will be wearing them with the yellow pants, which were worn on the road vs. UCLA.

The helmets will be the yellow throwbacks, with the Oregon “O” on the side, which were worn twice this season, at UCLA and at Purdue.

Oregon Ducks Week 11 Uniforms

Photo Courtesy of Oregon Athletic Department
Photo Courtesy of Oregon Athletic Department
Photo Courtesy of Oregon Athletic Department

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Previewing the Maryland offense before Saturday’s game at Autzen

Maryland’s offense has the capability to keep up with the No. 1 Ducks in Saturday’s game at Autzen Stadium.

Coming into this season, the Maryland Terrapins football team really didn’t know what they would get out of quarterback Billy Edwards, Jr. He had never been a full-time starter before this season and the Terrapins were hoping for the best.

They haven’t been disappointed.

Edwards has proven to be one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten Conference. He has a 68 completion percentage and 13 touchdowns to go with 289 yards per contest. But the inexperience crops up occasionally, and that’s where the six interceptions pop up.

When Edwards is putting the ball in the air, the probable target most likely is Tai Felton. The 6-foot-2 senior leads the Terrapins in receptions with 73 catches, almost double the next-highest ball catcher. Kaden Prather is second on the team with 45 receptions.

Felton also has 907 reception yards or 113 yards per game. He also has six touchdowns to his name. Prather has 487 yards (61 ypg) and three touchdowns.

Maryland hasn’t featured much of a ground game, but tailback Roman Hamby is capable of breaking out at any time. His 2024 isn’t as notable as his 2023 season, but Hamby still has 403 yards and four touchdowns, good for 50 yards per game.

Compared to last season, Hamby rushed the ball 142 times for 680 yards, averaged 4.8 yards per carry, rushed for four touchdowns. Hamby also caught 38 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns.

The Ducks will have to contain Hamby because if he’s suddenly a weapon, Oregon might have its hands a bit more fuller than it originally planned.

Up front, Maryland has plenty of experience individually, but they don’t have much experience playing together. There are a couple of transfers in there as well as some first-time starters. They’ve given up 14 sacks this season.

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ESPN FPI matchup predictions for Penn State’s remaining schedule starting with this week’s game vs. Washington

How much will Penn State’s season be impacted by this weekend’s loss at home to Ohio State? According to the latest numbers, it may not have changed all that much for the Nittany Lions. This week’s updated look at the win percentages for Penn State …

How much will Penn State’s season be impacted by this weekend’s loss at home to Ohio State? According to the latest numbers, it may not have changed all that much for the Nittany Lions.

This week’s updated look at the win percentages for Penn State still shows the Nittany Lions in a favorable spot in each of its remaining games. Each win probability did drop slightly this week, but not enough to raise much concern. The exception to that is the upcoming road trip to Minnesota. That matchup continues to trend in an ominous direction by the week and has now dropped Penn State’s win probability below 70% after the results of Week 10. Minnesota is a team trending up and is looking more like a problem for Penn State coming up.

Here is a look at the updated win probabilities for Penn State for each remaining game according to ESPN’s analytics.

Beaver Stadium (University Park, Pennsylvania)

Predicted Winner | Penn State
Nittany Lions Win Probability | 87.2% (was 89.2%)
All-Time Series | PSU leads 3-0

Projected Running Record | 8-1

Ross-Ade Stadium (West Lafayette, Indiana)

Predicted Winner | Penn State
Nittany Lions Win Probability | 96.5% (was 96.7%)
All-Time Series | PSU leads 16-3-1

Projected Running Record | 9-1

Huntington Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Predicted Winner | Penn State
Nittany Lions Win Probability | 68.7% (was 72.1%)
All-Time Series | PSU leads 10-6

Projected Running Record | 10-1

Beaver Stadium (University Park, Pennsylvania)

Predicted Winner | Penn State
Nittany Lions Win Probability | 89.5% (was 89.9%)
All-Time Series | PSU leads 43-1-3

Projected Running Record | 11-1

Penn State’s shot at a Big Ten title did get a lot tougher this weekend as a result of the loss to the Buckeyes. Penn State now has the fourth-best odds of winning the Big Ten mostly because it is much more challenging just to get into the conference championship game. ESPN’s FPI numbers agree, giving Penn State a 5.1% chance to win the Big Ten.

The good news is Penn State still has a favorable outlook to reach the College Football Playoff. ESPN’s FPI numbers give Penn State a 73.7% chance of being one of the 12 teams in this year’s playoff field, the eighth-best odds in the nation. Once they get there, however, Penn State is a long shot to win it all. ESPN’s FPI gives Penn State a 9.2% chance of reaching the College Football Playoff and a 4.0% chance of winning the national title.

But at least there’s a chance!

Game time announced for No. 1 Oregon vs. Maryland in Week 11

It will be an afternoon game for No. 1 Oregon vs. Maryland in Week 11.

The Oregon Ducks have enjoyed prime-time games the past couple of weeks on major networks as they fully relish the move to the Big Ten Conference.

However, you knew an afternoon time slot was coming with the slate of games remaining on the No. 1 Ducks schedule. While we have a 12:30 p.m. PDT kickoff this weekend against the Michigan Wolverines on CBS, Oregon’s Week 11 game against the Maryland Terrapins will be played at 4 p.m. PST and be carried on Big Ten Network.

It will be the first time Oregon and Maryland have played each other on the gridiron, so that presents a small level of intrigue. However, the Terrapins have been a bottom-half team in the Big Ten this season, so it doesn’t project to be a very good game on paper.

That’s the case for many of Oregon’s remaining games. The Ducks play Michigan, Maryland, Wisconsin and Washington in the month of November. Those teams have a combined record of 18-14 this year.

If the Ducks can get through the end of the regular season without a blemish on their record, they will secure a spot in the Big Ten Championship game during the first full weekend of December and likely secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.

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Updated Big Ten football standings after Week 8: Indiana and Oregon in first-place tie

Could we get an Oregon vs. Indiana Big Ten championship game? Updated Big Ten football standings after Week 8.

While Penn State was off this past week, the Nittany Lions remained one of three undefeated teams in Big Ten play this fall. But Penn State is now, technically, looking up in the updated Big Ten conference standings following the results of Week 8. Indiana and Oregon remained undefeated this season and improved to 4-0 in Big Ten play with blowout wins this weekend. Penn State will not face either team in the regular season, so watching what they do is critical if Penn State can continue to take care of its own schedule the rest of the way. Penn State is gearing up for a challenging three-game stretch beginning with this week’s road trip to Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is seemingly surging at a good time too with another dominant performance on the scoreboard against its opponent. Wisconsin has outscored its last three opponents by a combined score of 117-16 (Rutgers, Northwestern, and Purdue). Of course, the Badgers will also be facing their biggest challenge since playing Alabama and USC in back-to-back weeks in September.

Here is a look at the updated Big Ten football standings at the conclusion of Week 8.

B1G W B1G L W L
Indiana 4 0 7 0
Oregon 4 0 7 0
Penn State 3 0 6 0
Illinois 3 1 6 1
Wisconsin 3 1 5 2
Ohio State 2 1 5 1
Iowa 2 2 4 3
Washington 2 2 4 3
Michigan 2 2 4 3
Michigan State 2 2 4 3
Nebraska 2 2 5 2
Minnesota 2 2 4 3
Northwestern 1 3 3 4
Maryland 1 3 4 3
Rutgers 1 3 4 3
USC 1 4 3 4
UCLA 1 4 2 5
Purdue 0 4 1 6

Indiana, Oregon, Penn State, and Illinois are all officially bowl-eligible. No team in the Big Ten is ineligible for postseason play, but Purdue is now sitting on six losses this season, putting them on the brink of being the first Big Ten to be ruled ineligible for a bowl game this season.

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Maryland scores 15 unanswered points to topple USC

Maryland took down USC with a late rally in Big Ten play

Maryland overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter on Saturday to down USC, 29-28, in a Big Ten tussle.

The Terrapins converted a two-point conversion with 9:56 left after a 10-yard touchdown run by Roman Hemby.

Coach Mike Locksley’s strategy worked perfectly. By going for two and converting it, the Terps were in position to win the game with another touchdown.

They blocked a field-goal attempt by USC and Billy Edwards Jr. used his legs on a three-yard run with 53 seconds left. The PAT was good and the Terps had the lead.

USC moved the ball but a fourth-and-two pass with 14 seconds left was incomplete.

The Trojans, in their first season in the Big Ten, are 3-4 under Lincoln Riley. They are 1-4 in the Big Ten.

Maryland is 4-2 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

Edwards was 39-of-50 for 373 passing yards and two touchdowns. USC’s Miller Moss was 34-of-50 for 336 yards through the air.

A horrible Maryland fumble sparked an all-time call from Fox Sports’ Eric Collins

“What a bad idea!”

Fox Sports broadcaster Eric Collins delivered an instant classic of a call during a disastrous fumble during USC-Maryland on Saturday.

Rather than spike the ball and stop the clock in Trojan territory as time ticked down before halftime, Maryland tried to hurry to the line to get a play off.

The plan backfired spectacularly on the Terrapins, as the ball ricocheted off Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.’s hands after a long snap and was recovered by USC defensive end Solomon Tuliaupupu.

Collins was so baffled by the decision throughout, and his reaction to the fumble itself will go down in college football history. He sounded like he was watching the worst college football play of all time. It was kind of beautiful to hear how genuinely stunned he was.

“What a bad idea!” is one of the funniest things ever said on a college football broadcast as far as we’re concerned. The fumble was atrocious for Maryland, but the call from Collins is a genuine all-timer.

https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1847756541752983798

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