Following a disappointing loss to UCLA on Nov. 8, the Iowa football team returns to action fresh off their second bye week of the season to take on the Maryland Terrapins.
Maryland enters the contest at 4-6 overall and 1-6 in Big Ten play after suffering a disappointing home loss to Rutgers last weekend. The Terps have played in three consecutive bowl games, but that streak will be on the line against the Hawkeyes.
Head coach Mike Locksley is in his sixth season as Maryland’s head coach, compiling an overall record of 33-39. The program has improved under his leadership, but the Terrapins are hoping that Locksley can elevate them to the top of the Big Ten.
2023 looked to be a great opportunity for Maryland, but they suffered a mid-season swoon and finished at only 8-5. Now, the Terps seem to be going in the wrong direction in the new Big Ten, a hole that could be difficult to dig out of.
Iowa and Maryland have met four times since the Terrapins joined the league in 2014, with the Hawkeyes holding a 3-1 edge in the series. Their most recent meeting came in October of 2021 in College Park, a 51-14 Iowa victory.
To fully digest this matchup, let’s take a deeper look at the Terrapins.
Offense
Taulia Tagovailoa was one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten during his tenure at Maryland, but he graduated after the 2023 season, leaving a big hole in the offense.
Former backup Billy Edwards Jr. took over the starting role, and he has tossed 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 2,855 passing yards through 10 games. Unlike some of Iowa’s previous opposing quarterbacks, the junior is not known for using his legs, tallying only 125 rushing yards.
Edwards Jr. began the season on fire, but he has regressed badly over the last few games, recording four touchdowns and seven interceptions. Additionally, he has completed only 59 percent of his passes with an average of 5.89 yards per attempt. Now, he faces an Iowa defense that is desperate for redemption after struggling against UCLA.
One of the main factors of Maryland’s struggles has been due to a bad rushing attack that ranks 17th in the Big Ten with only 1,157 total yards, a number that slots behind only UCLA. Third-year Roman Hemby is the name to watch in this group, totaling 524 yards and six touchdowns.
The Terrapins have two wide receivers who have crossed the 500-yard plateau this season. Fourth-year Tai Felton is Maryland’s leading receiver with 1,040 yards and seven scores, while fellow senior Kaden Prather has totaled 579 yards and three touchdowns on 52 receptions.
Defense
Locksley’s Terrapin teams have been known for a strong offense during his tenure, but the lack of a formidable defense has prevented Maryland from moving into that upper echelon of the Big Ten in recent years.
This season, the Terrapins rank 11th in the conference in total defense, allowing 29.2 points per contest under third-year defensive coordinator Brian Williams. Williams has been on staff since 2019 and previously served as the team’s outside linebackers and defensive line coach before being promoted in 2021.
Fourth-year linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II leads Maryland in total tackles with 47, while fellow senior Glendon Miller has accounted for a team-high three interceptions.
Special teams
The Terrapins’ kicking game has battled inconsistencies all season long, as Jack Howes has made only 11-of-16 field goal attempts along with an extra point. Howes has struggled mightily from 40+ yards, knocking in only 3-of-8 from that distance.
On the flip side, second-year punter Bryce McFerson is one of the best punters in the Big Ten, averaging 46.2 yards per punt on 38 attempts, including a long of 64 yards during the season-opener against UConn on Aug. 31.
Final analysis
On paper, this should be an easy win for the Hawkeyes. But Iowa’s recent struggles on the road against Michigan State and UCLA should have fans slightly concerned.
Maryland will also be fighting for bowl eligibility and will likely throw the kitchen sink at the Hawkeye defense, hoping they can duplicate those bad performances on the road.
Iowa also has a bit of a quarterback problem, as Brendan Sullivan and Cade McNamara are both injured. But the Hawkeyes should be able to ride Kaleb Johnson and the league’s best rushing attack to a surprisingly close victory.