Maryland (4-4, 1-4) at #1 Oregon (9-0, 6-0)
When: Nov. 9 | 7:00 PM EST
Where: Autzen Stadium | Eugene, Ore.
Radio & TV: 105.7FM (Balt.) | 980AM (DC) One Maryland App | Sirius XM 372
Betting: Maryland +24 | O/U: 57 (DraftKings)
Maryland is back in action on Saturday night as they take on the top-ranked Oregon Ducks in Eugene, marking the first West Coast game for the Terps since the 2014 Foster Farms Bowl vs. Stanford. As Maryland looks for its first win against the nation’s top team in 69 years and first win against a top-five team in 20 years, we take a look at three things to watch for:
Explosive play battle
Oregon and Maryland are one and two in the Big Ten in terms of the passing game. Both teams have gotten big plays from their top playmakers all year. For the Terps to keep up with the Ducks, it will have to continue. They need to follow the road that was set by both Ohio State and Boise State. The Buckeyes were the only team to pass for over 200 yards against Oregon’s defense. Five receivers had at least one catch that went for over 20 yards. Maryland will have improve in that department Saturday night as they are tied for 91st best team in the FBS in plays going over 20 yards. Boise State got a near 200-yard, three-touchdown performance from running back Ashton Jeanty. The Terp offense will have to step up if they are going to get big plays against an Oregon defense that is a top 20 team in the nation defending the pass.
Tai Felton and Kaden Prather can’t be counted on alone to have Maryland keep up with the Ducks. Tight ends Preston Howard and Dylan Wade attacking the middle of the field could allow for some one-on-one matchups outside. Octavian Smith Jr and Shaleak Knotts must take advantage of their opportunities. Oregon’s secondary has only allowed five touchdowns all season. The Ducks’ starting lineup is all seniors with safety Tysheem Johnson leading them in interceptions and second in tackles. He and corner Nikko Reed are the only ones who didn’t transfer in before the season. Reed is tied for second on the team in pass deflections. Across from him is Washington transfer Jabbar Muhammad, who was named to the all-Pac-12 second-team in 2023. He has made a big impact on the Ducks’ defense, leading the team in pass deflections. Nickel corner Brandon Johnson transferred from Duke and he’s tied for fourth in tackles, while Kansas State transfer Kobe Savage is third. Getting Roman Hemby involved in the run-and-pass game could help out. Maryland’s offensive line will have to be at their best as well with edge rushers Jordan Burch and Matayo Uiagalelei.
Get takeaways
Oregon has been a juggernaut in the passing game, ranking second in the Big Ten. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been everything the Ducks have needed him to be and then some. The biggest thing for them is that he hasn’t been turning the ball over. Gabriel has thrown only five interceptions on the season. Maryland travels to Eugene having forced nine interceptions on the year, good for fourth in the Big Ten, but have only had one in the last three games. Oregon will be without their top target Taz Johnson but have plenty of talent to overcome that loss. Former five-star Evan Stewart will be counted on to step up. He and former St Frances receiver Traeshon Holden are tied for second in receiving yards.
Maryland looks to be getting a big piece of their secondary back with Glendon Miller back practicing. He and Dante Trader have been the best players in the unit. His being back could move Jalen Huskey back to corner. Huskey hasn’t had a pick since Indiana, while Perry Fisher is still looking for his first of the season. The lone Terp that’s picked off a pass in the last three games was Lavain Scruggs when his interception against USC kept Maryland in the game. It won’t mean much for Maryland to get takeaways if the offense can’t take advantage of them. Against Indiana, Maryland won the turnover battle 4-0 but couldn’t turn them into points.
For the Terps to keep the game close they must steal possessions and get points off them. Of course, taking care of the ball is arguably the biggest need for Maryland’s offense after a disappointing result in their last game out. While the run game has been a struggle, the Terps will look to generate some momentum on the ground as they work to control the clock and win the time of possession.
Other players to watch:
RB Jordan James: the star junior running back enters Saturday 83 yards away from 1,000 rushing yards on the season and could see more time in the passing game with Tez Johnson being out. He’s added another 90 yards on 13 catches this season while rushing for nine scores.
TE Terrance Ferguson: Ferguson is one of four players to lead the Ducks in receiving in a game this season as the senior has become of the best at his position in program history. Ferguson enters Saturday second all-time in receptions (113), tied for third in receiving touchdowns (13) and fourth in receiving yards (1,301). After missing two games due to illness, Ferguson returned to action in last week’s road win vs. Michigan. Ferguson is also two touchdowns away from setting the program record for most touchdowns by a tight end.
LB Bryce Boettcher: the star linebacker – and Oregon baseball star – has become a leader for the Ducks’ defense. He led Oregon with seven tackles and 1.5 TFLs in the win vs. Michigan, the third time this season he’s led the defense in tackles.
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