BTN Jake Butt analyzes the "chess match" brewing between Maryland, Washington

Ahmed Ghafir
Oct 2
2 min read

The first of two 3:30 PM kickoffs in Big Ten play is set for this weekend as Maryland looks to remain one a handful of undefeated Power Four teams, but they’ll do so facing their toughest test of the season.

BTN analyst Jake Butt, who will be on the call this weekend, pointed to the underclassman battle in College Park between quarterbacks Demond Williams and Malik Washington, both off to strong starts to open the 2025 season.

For Maryland’s defense, they’ll also have to prepare to limit one of the nation’s best running backs in Jonah Coleman, but the dual-threat ability will test a Maryland defense that’s shown signs of upgraded athleticism in DC Ted Monachino’s “fast and physical defense.”

“What Ohio State has on defense, very few others have. They have the antidote to an extremely explosive and fast quarterback in Demond Williams. They have Arvell Reese. They have Caleb Downs. They have elite athletes across their defensive front. Who is going to be that guy for Maryland? Maybe it’s Daniel Wingate who is an athletic linebacker, a key piece of Maryland’s defense,” Jake Butt said. “But Ohio State had the plan, particularly in the low redzone where Demond’s legs really come alive, to counter it. Maryland has not seen a quarterback like what Demond Williams is.”

On the flip side, Saturday will mark the toughest test to-date in Malik Washington’s young college career as he prepares to face a defense led by Ryan Walters, the Huskies’ current defensive coordinator after his head coaching stint at Purdue. All eyes will be on whether edge Zach Durfee and OT Carver Willis will be available on Saturday with Willis' absence potentially vaulting former Maryland OL Max McCree into the starting lineup. CB Tacario Davis, a former All-Pac 12 selection at Arizona, is expected to return on Saturday after missing the last two days to boost Washington’s secondary, but Jake Butt noted how Washington’s backline could try to confuse Maryland’s freshman quarterback.

“When you think about the chess match, last week what I saw Washington do was they started to implement some three safety looks to try to confuse Julian Sayin. It gives them an ability to mix coverages, drop a safety down in the box for run support. You have more of those hybrid athletes that give you just flexibility from pressure and coverage standpoint. What a huge test for Malik Washington. It’s going to be the best all-around that he’s faced all year.”

While fans await the Terps’ next test as Maryland looks for its first win in bye games, Jake Butt also dismissed ESPN’s rankings this week that listed Washington as the 48^th-best quarterback nationally, one day after naming him the best freshman in the country.

“This guy’s mature beyond his years, carries himself with great leadership and composure and then that shows up on tape.”

Related Links