The Maryland football team returns to action on Nov. 5 at Big Ten West foe Wisconsin.
Maryland (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) can match its program record for most Big Ten wins (four) with a victory, which would mark its first-ever win against the Badgers.
On the other hand, Wisconsin looks to continue to improve under interim head coach Jim Leonhard. The Badgers (4-4, 2-3) are having a down year, as they have already matched their loss total from 2021, but they have won two of three games under Leonhard. Wisconsin has not had more than five losses since 2012, when they went 8-6.
Both teams are coming off their bye week looking to shake off any rust and finish the season strong.
Here are three things to look for during Maryland’s matchup against Wisconsin, which kicks off at noon on the Big Ten Network:
1. Taulia Tagovailoa is back.
During the Terps’ game against Indiana Oct. 15, Tagovailoa re-aggravated the MCL he originally sprained in the Terps’ loss to Michigan Sept. 24. Redshirt freshman Billy Edwards Jr. took over his place and led the team to a comeback win against Indiana and a win against Northwestern Oct. 22 in his first career start.
“It was scary, my knee had been bothering me ever since the Michigan game,” Tagovailoa said of being carted off. “When it happened I was just in pain. I was hoping I could just wrap it up and come back out. … I was waiting for the MRI and I was nervous. I was hoping it wasn’t something more serious.”
“He tried everything he could to play [against Northwestern],” Locksley said. “He practiced on Tuesday, but we made the decision along with the medical staff to shut him down to allow him a little more time to get healthy. … To have our leader back gives us a chance against a great opponent on the road.”
Tagovailoa is coming off a two-week break and looks to continue his already impressive season. He is fifth in passing yards in the Big Ten (2,001) and touchdown passes (13). In addition, Tagovailoa moved up to second in passing in Maryland history (6,872 yards).
2. Can Maryland protect the football?
Maryland has been on the right side of the turnover battle in its last three games (8-1) and will look to keep it that way. Dating back to 2017, Maryland has 15 straight wins when it does not commit a turnover.
However, the Badgers are second in the conference in interceptions (14) and senior John Torchio has a conference-high five.
“The biggest things are locking in and confirming coverages,” Tagovailoa said.
The Wisconsin defensive line features junior Nick Herbig, the conference leader in sacks (6.0). He is second in the conference in tackles for loss (10.5). Locksley called Herbig “disruptive” alongside senior Keeanu Benton, who has 20 tackles and two sacks this season.
“We’ve got to be really sharp up front with our calls and our quarterback getting everybody on the same page,” Locksley said.
3. Can Maryland contain the run?
Wisconsin is sixth in the Big Ten in total rushing attempts (292) and fifth in rushing yards (1,372). Maryland is right behind the Badgers with 1,371 yards.
Locksley expects Wisconsin to try to establish the run early and often behind sophomore running back Braelon Allen.
“He’s a big back,” Locksley said of the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Allen. “He’s a finisher and has the ability hit the home run. He’s really physical at the point of attack. For us on defense it’s important we do a great job of collectively tackling.”
Allen is fourth in rushing yards in the Big Ten (870) and rushing touchdowns (nine). Terps redshirt freshman Roman Hemby sits in fifth in the latter category (seven).
“We have to try to take [Allen] out of the game plan and put them in the position to where they have to throw the football,” Locksley said. “They are a run-first team. … It’s important for us to do a great job early of putting them in the disadvantage downs — the second and longs and third and longs which now force them to throw it.”
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