Maryland football will travel to Oregon to face the No. 1 team in the country on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. EST.
Maryland (4-4, 1-4) is looking to bounce back from a 48-23 loss against Minnesota. The Terps haven’t defeated the No. 1 team since 1955 (UCLA) or a top-five opponent since 2004 (Florida State). This is their first-ever matchup against the Ducks.
Here are three things to look for:
Can Maryland keep the game in range?
This is just another way to say, can Maryland get off to a fast start? That has not been the case this season, especially against conference opponents — even after a bye week.
The Terps had their first bye week of the season following a 42-28 loss at Indiana. They had a week off to rest, game plan and prepare for another conference battle against Northwestern. But instead of firing on all cylinders, Maryland doubled down and suffered another blowout loss, this time at home.
“There’s no one secret to starting fast besides execution,” head coach Michael Locksley said. “This is an execution sport. You want to start fast? Block the guys you are supposed to block, be in the gaps you’re supposed to be in and cover the man you’re supposed to cover.”
Can Maryland’s defense contain Dillion Gabriel?
Maryland’s defense has a tough challenge ahead against the Ducks’ passing attack. Oregon senior quarterback Dillion Gabriel is sixth in passing yards (2,665) and 13th in passing touchdowns (19) in the FBS.
Maryland allows 277 passing yards per game. Gabriel averages 296 passing yards per game.
“He makes them go, he’s a really talented player,” Locksley said of Gabriel. “All the kid does is make plays. … He’s really crafty inside the pocket area which allows him to extend plays. If a quarterback has extra time to throw it’s not a great recipe for defensive backs.”
Are Maryland’s bowl hopes slipping away?
Maryland’s hopes of reaching a fourth consecutive bowl game are in jeopardy with four games remaining.
By this time last year, the Terps were a win away from bowl eligibility. Now, they face an uphill climb with remaining games against Oregon, Rutgers, Iowa and Penn State in a season during which everything that could go wrong has seemingly gone wrong.
“We have a lot of older and talented teammates who have been here for the three straight bowl games who had to scrap and fight to get to that sixth, seventh win,” quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. said.
“We all know what’s at stake and we all know that the games in November are more important than the games in the beginning of the season,” Edwards continued. “We have four great opportunities right in front of us and I think everyone in that building including myself is focused on this one right in front of us.”
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