Maryland (5-1, 2-1 B1G) vs. Illinois (2-4, 0-3 B1G)
When: Saturday, Oct. 14 | 3:32 p.m. EST
Where: SECU Stadium
Watch: NBC – Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge, Kathryn Tappen
Listen: 105.7 FM (Balt) / 980 AM (DC) – Johnny Holliday, Steve Suter, LaMont Jordan
Betting: Maryland -13.5, O/U: 51 (as of 2 PM EST, Oct. 13)
Maryland will look to bounce back and move to 5-0 at home when Illinois heads to College Park on Saturday afternoon.
“They’re a dangerous team. One of my closest friends in this conference is Bret Bielema. He’s a guy that I share a lot of things in common. He’s a good dude. He’s a ball coach. He’s done it the right way and he’s really elevated the Illinois program. So I know they’ll be well coached, they’ll be ready to play,” head coach Mike Locksley said on Tuesday. “They played Friday, I had a chance to watch a little bit of that game Friday night and they’re dealing with some injuries and things, but I think they’ll be getting some players back but they’re a dangerous team. Coming off of a tough loss where our players invested a lot of energy and effort into that Ohio State game, it’s going to be important for me to get this team back and snap back to where we can create the momentum that we’re going to need to have for the second half of the season.”
We take a look at three storylines to watch in Saturday’s contest.
Marvin Harrison Jr. has drawn the spotlight as the Big Ten’s top receiver this season, but through the first half, you could make the strong argument the actual answer is Illinois WR Isaiah Williams.
The former quarterback-turned-receiver has emerged as the undoubted top weapon for the Illini, leading the Big Ten with 38 passes for 503 yards. Don’t be fooled by his small size, listed at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, Williams will draw the full attention of a battered Maryland secondary.
“It ain’t just the secondary. It’s the matchups they create where he’s a former quarterback, a guy that’s used to having a ball in his hand. They put them in the slot, they motion them, orbit motion. They find what I call touches for him,” head coach Mike Locksley said on Williams.
One week after allowing Harrison to post 163 yards and a touchdown on eight catches, Maryland’s secondary will have a chance to bounce back and limit the Illini’s undoubted biggest weapon.
Illinois is expected to be without their top running back, Reggie Love, but true freshman Kaden Feagin has filled in nicely for him. While he hasn’t scored yet on the year, Feagin has tallied for 148 yards on just 24 carries. Locksley pointed to the defense going up against a bruising back in Antwain Littleton as reason why the Terps will be prepared for Feagin, but at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, they’ll look to limit the yards after contact. Maryland has a chance to make the Illini one-dimensional on offense.
Maryland shut down Ohio State’s running game last week, allowing less than two yards a carry. Limiting what Feagin can do will cause Illinois to rely more on their passing game which has been inconsistent all year. Maryland’s passing defense struggled last week, giving up over 300 yards and Marvin Harrison had 163 receiving yards without top corner Tarheeb Still. The Illini offense has largely struggled with Luke Altmyer under center, and the porous protection is a big reason why, but limiting the two playmakers will tell just how dominant the Terps are on the defensive side of the ball on Saturday.
Maryland didn’t force a turnover against the Buckeyes last week for the first time since the week one win vs. Towson. Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer enters Saturday with a league-leading eight interceptions, while the Terps are tied for the most in the conference with eight interceptions of their own. They may also be without two of their best defensive backs, with Dante Trader Jr. and Tarheeb Still’s status doubtful for Saturday, likely vaulting Beau Brade and Glen Miller as the starting safety tandem.
Still, the front seven has a chance to create chaos for Altmyer and force bad throws to generate takeaways. This might be the perfect game for Ja’Quan Sheppard to have his first interception of the season.
Donnell Brown has had a nose for the ball all year, intercepting two passes in consecutive games and registered his first sack of the season against the Buckeyes. Defensive linemen Quashon Fuller and linebacker Kellen Wyatt have been disruptive off the edge, while linebackers Jaishawn Barham, and Caleb Wheatland each have at least two sacks on the year. The key for the Terps on defense will be to force the offense into uncomfortable situations all game. If they can do that and get the ball back for the offense, Taulia and the offense have a chance to capitalize and pull away early.
If there’s been one key criticism of the offense through the first half of the season, it’s been the inconsistency on the ground.
Heading into Saturday, Maryland sits middle of the pack in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (148.8) while Roman Hemby leads the team with just 344 yards as the three backs are averaging just over five yards per carry. Yes, Maryland was able to find some success a week ago against Ohio State in short-yardage situations thanks to their rushing attack, picking up critical first downs. Yet still, the consistency and efficiency has dipped as the offense has struggled to rely on the ground game since the week two win vs. Charlotte.
Enter Illinois.
Jer’Zhan Newton will be a big assignment for the offensive line, yet the Illini sit dead last in the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed per game (176). Saturday gives the Terps a chance to generate the big plays on the ground that the offense has sorely missed since the week two win vs. Charlotte.
Sitting with five wins, Maryland has a chance to clinch bowl eligibility at the earliest time since 2001. A win also means Maryland will head into the bye week at 6-1, the program’s best record through seven games since the 2001 season.
Mike Locksley on limiting Illinois RB Kaden Feagin, growth from DBs, Jaishawn Barham
Local guard gets different perspective on Maryland during latest unofficial visit (+)
Young Terps: Maryland looking to bounce back, hosts Illinois for homecoming
Mike Locksley named Big Ten’s top coach in midseason honor
Jahmir Young, Julian Reese talk impact of DeShawn Harris-Smith
Maryland commit returning to campus in midst of dominant season (+)