On Saturday, the stage is set for an electrifying college football showdown as the Iowa Hawkeyes take on the Maryland Terrapins at noon ET in SECU Stadium. The Terrapins will be looking to leverage their home-field advantage, but will it be enough to turn the tide in their favor?
Recent Struggles for Maryland
Maryland enters this matchup with a disappointing 1-6 record in conference play, and they’re currently mired in a three-game losing streak. Their most recent setback came against Rutgers, where they fell 31-17. Despite the loss, the Terrapins showcased a potent offense, racking up 457 total yards. Head coach Mike Locksley remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of quickly moving past the defeat.
“We’ve got to try to turn the page on this one pretty quickly,” Locksley remarked after the game. “We’ve got Iowa coming in here, with an opportunity again to keep our season alive. … We didn’t get it done today, and we’re running out of chances.”
Iowa’s Recent Performance
On the other hand, the Hawkeyes are looking to rebound after a tough 20-17 loss to UCLA in Week 11. This loss was particularly frustrating for Iowa, as they had hoped to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. In that game, running back Kaleb Johnson struggled, managing just 49 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Quarterback Brendan Sullivan faced challenges as well, completing only 6 of 9 passes for 157 yards while throwing two interceptions. Sullivan’s day ended prematurely due to an ankle injury, leaving backup QB Jackson Stratton to pick up the pieces. Stratton, however, found it difficult to establish a rhythm, completing only three of six attempts.
After the game, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz was candid about his team’s shortcomings. “Obviously, a disappointing outcome for us,” he said. “Just got done telling the team basically, you know, one thing about football, you typically get what you deserve, and we certainly didn’t play well enough to expect to win tonight basically in any category.”
Historical Context
As the Hawkeyes prepare for this clash, they can draw confidence from their historical performance against the Terrapins. Iowa boasts a 3-1 all-time record against Maryland, having most recently dominated the Terrapins with a 51-14 victory in 2021. The last time Maryland managed to defeat Iowa was back in 2014. With this track record, can Iowa continue their winning ways?
What’s at Stake?
While neither team is vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff, this game carries significant implications. A loss for Iowa could mean finishing the season with a losing record in conference play for the first time since 2017. For Maryland, a victory is crucial to keep their bowl game hopes alive. Will the Terrapins rise to the occasion, or will the Hawkeyes extend their dominance?
Game Day Details
For fans eager to catch the action, here are the essential details:
Time: Saturday 11/23 | Noon ET
Channel: BTN, FuboTV (streaming)
Location: SECU Stadium — College Park, MD
Betting Odds and Predictions
Oddsmakers are leaning toward the Hawkeyes in this matchup, with FanDuel listing Iowa as 5.5-point favorites. Additionally, they predict a low-scoring affair, setting the over/under at 41.5 points. Does this indicate a defensive battle, or can either team surprise us with an offensive explosion?
Looking Ahead
As both teams gear up for this pivotal matchup, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Iowa is eager to shake off their recent loss and maintain their winning streak over Maryland, while the Terrapins are desperate to turn their season around. With passionate fan bases and a storied rivalry, this game promises to be a thrilling chapter in college football.
Will Iowa’s historical advantage hold strong, or can Maryland pull off a much-needed upset? As kickoff approaches, anticipation builds. This is college football at its finest, where every play counts and every moment matters. Get ready for a showdown that could define the remainder of the season for both teams!
