Taulia Tagovailoa enters Saturday leading the Big Ten in passing yards (1,112), total offense (291.3) and points responsible for (62) at the midway point in the season, yet was voted the third-best quarterback in the conference by BTN analysts Jake Butt and Adam Breneman, behind JJ McCarthy (Michigan) and Drew Allar (Penn State). Still, Breneman noted how Tagovailoa has “changed the trajectory of that program” as the Terps look to move to 5-0.
“I think Mike Locksley’s done a great job with him and has developed him the right way and has given him confidence. When you watch him play, you can see the confidence that he gives that offense and the confidence he plays with and he looks different than even the guy we saw last year and two years ago,” Breneman added. “I think he looks even more poised and confident now. I mean, he’s completing 65% of his passes. You’re going to win a lot of games with that, taking care of the football. He’s turned it over a couple of times this year, but, one was a tipped ball. He’s just a really impressive all-around quarterback. Not the biggest guy, not going to wow you with arm talent, but is consistent, good in the pocket, can create with his legs, really can do it all. I think he quietly has become one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten the last decade.”
While Butt reiterated the Terps will be “one of those teams that benefits from doing away with divisions,” Maryland will hope to change the narrative with its first marquee game right around the corner.
Before Maryland hits the road again, they’ll look to pick up their third consecutive win against an Indiana team looking to turn the page from last week’s 29-27 overtime win vs. Akron. Which Indiana team shows up will be tell the tale to how competitive Saturday’s contest is, according to Nicole Auerbach.
“They’ve been so inconsistent, because I think coming out of that Louisville game, you feel great about the way that they had that second half, probably should have been in position to win that game, right?,” Auerbach added. “But then, to have the performance that they did against Akron, very concerning, very confusing, because we thought they figured things out, not just defensively, because we thought we saw that week one, but also offensively.”
“I can suggest to you, Indiana thought they were going to show up and beat this MAC team. And that’s a problem if that’s the attitude they went into,” Gerry DiNardo added. ” It’s hard to explain any other ways.”
After sitting just outside the top 25 in both the AP and coaches poll, Maryland will look to pull off a win as they look to reenter the top 25 for the first time since week three of the 2019 season.
“They should be 5-0 after they get through this week,” Auerbach added. “I like that we grouped them with the, after the ranked teams, because I keep forgetting Maryland’s not already ranked. They will be if they win this game, and this will set up a nice matchup. But yes, it’s about taking care of business, jumping out to a quick start, avoiding turnovers. All of the things we talk about with the Terps on Terps. Not making their own mistakes, not beating themselves. And I think they would, they would say those slow starts, those first quarters would be part of that too.”
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