Maryland football is set for its week five matchup on Saturday against Michigan State, standing 3-1 heading into the weekend. Though Maryland is only halfway to the desired six game win total necessary to extend the season into a bowl game, the Terps have become a more desirable postseason selection off the heels of its 34-27 loss at Michigan and there’s a popular destination for its potential bowl game.
The Guaranteed Rate Bowl, a December 29 game in Phoenix featuring a crossover between the Big 12 and Big Ten, proved most common during this week’s bowl projections, though a pair of outlets have Maryland facing an ACC foe in two different games. Maryland is looking to get back to consecutive bowl games for the first time since the 2013/2014 season and win their bowl game in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1984/1985.
Projections:
CBS Sports: Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. Iowa St.
247Sports: Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. Texas
Athlon Sports: Fenway Bowl vs. Memphis
Action Network: Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. Pittsburgh
College Football News: Pinstripe Bowl vs. North Carolina
USA Today: Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. TCU
Still, head coach Mike Locksley said his program is still “in the developmental stage” following the first loss of the season.
“We’re still chasing playing a perfect game and being able to execute at a high level to find a way to win games like that,” he said on Tuesday.
Maryland will look to beat Michigan State for the first time since 2016 and the second time since joining the Big Ten, but if you ask Vegas, the Terps are expected to do exactly that. After opening at 2.5, is now an eight-point favorite against a Michigan State team fighting the injury bug early in the season. There is confidence that both wide receiver Rakim Jarrett and linebacker Ruben Hyppolite return to action this weekend. Locksley, meanwhile, remained coy about the status of quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa for this weekend while the junior sported a brace on his right knee in practice. Still, Taulia offered a more emphatic response about his chances of suiting up this weekend.
“I feel 100%,” Taulia said to open Tuesday’s media availability.
Related Links
Oakdale duo returning to Maryland this weekend (+)
Notebook: Update on injuries, Confidence Building, Spartans Challenge
VIP: Michigan State week, recruiting weekend, four-star update (+)
Future Terps in Action: Week Five