Heading into week eight at 5-2 (2-2), Maryland is just one win away from clinching a bowl game. In the latest Bowl game projections, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl has become the popular pick for Maryland with the program looking to reach consecutive bowl appearances for the first time in nearly ten years.
This weekend, Maryland will have a chance to secure bowl eligibility with a win against Northwestern. Fans received news better than expected on Tuesday when head coach Mike Locksley revealed that quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa reaggravated a sprained MCL, which could mean that backup Billy Edwards gets the nod.
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“This is the same exact injury he had coming out of Michigan and he played very well the very next week, so it’s a day-to-day basis,” Locksley added. “I know he’s living in the training room doing all the things he can to get himself back. Like I said, we’re very fortunate, you know, it was just a reaggravation of the previous injury and he made it back the following week. And if, you know the Tagovailoas, you know, they’re tough guys and they’re gonna fight through it, but we’ll always do what’s best for him first and foremost, and then, we’ll have guys ready to play if he’s unavailable.”
Maryland will look for its first win in three tries against Northwestern as the Terps hope to send the Wildcats their sixth consecutive loss.
“On the defensive side of the ball, they’ve got two past rushers, 99 and 91 that create issues that we will have to address to make sure whoever our quarterback is, that we can do the things necessary to keep him upright and protected,” Locksley added. “On the offensive side of the ball, you know, 26, they’re all-purpose running back is one of the top all-purpose performers in the country. I think he leads him in passing and rushing or receiving and rushing. [Ryan] Hillinski, the quarterback, is one of those guys that has the ability to be a dual-threat quarterback. I will say that their offensive line is as good as an offensive line that we’ve face, and so they have a guy that left tackle the projected first round draft pick. I would expect them to come in and try to establish the running game because of the talent that they have up front on their offensive line. As good as Michigan’s, as good as Minnesota’s a year ago, you know, when you look at ’em across the board. And so we’ve got a challenge on our hand that I know our players are excited about.”
Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM this Saturday.
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