Two of the Big Ten’s stronger teams will square off Saturday when Wisconsin hosts Maryland in the Terrapins’ first trip to one of the conference’s signature colossal stadiums.
How to watch Maryland vs. Wisconsin: Game guide, TV schedule, streaming, odds
Can the Badgers re-assert themselves as players in the West race?
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Maryland surprisingly dominated Iowa in the trenches last time out, recording their first marquee win in their new conference. The Terps’ only two losses came to Ohio State and West Virginia -- two teams currently ranked -- and a win would grant them early bowl eligibility in Randy Edsall’s fourth season. With games against struggling Penn State, Michigan and Rutgers left on the schedule, Maryland could end up with quite the successful opening Big Ten season. They’ll have to get through a tough Wisconsin team first.
The Badgers are coming off a bye week and beat Illinois 38-28 their last time out. That might seem disappointing giving the two programs’ relative positions in the conference hierarchy, but it beats Wisconsin’s other Big Ten result: a loss to Northwestern. LSU is the Badgers’ only other loss this season, with non-conference wins over Western Illinois, South Florida and Bowling Green. The Badgers are pretty heavy favorites, but this could be a dangerous game: head coach Gary Andersen had high praise for Maryland’s skill players on offense and special teams.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 12 p.m. ET.
TV: Big Ten Network.
Online streaming: BTN2Go.
Our blogs on these teams
The numbers
Rankings and records: Neither team is ranked. Wisconsin is 4-2 with a 1-1 record in Big Ten play. Maryland is 5-2 with a 2-1 record in Big Ten play. This is the first ever contest between the two teams.
Vegas: Wisconsin opened as a 10-point favorite. The line is now at 11 points with an over/under of 57.5, according to Odds Shark.
Weather forecast: 65 degrees and clear.
Two things at stake
Maryland proved they can play with the B1G boys in their win over Iowa, but they were favored in that one. A win against Wisconsin would be a significant step forward for the program.
The Badgers may have the best team in the Big Ten West, but a loss here would make their quest for a division title very difficult.
One big matchup
Melvin Gordon vs. Maryland's front seven. Gordon is perhaps the nation's most dynamic running back (and his case became stronger with Todd Gurley's suspension), already eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards on the season and averaging a staggering 7.9 yards per carry. The junior has 13 touchdowns on the season and is one of the country's most dangerous big-play threats, regardless of position.
Maryland’s 3-4 defense has been inconsistent against the run this season, recording four games in which they allowed under four yards per carry and three games over that mark (including 7.3 against West Virginia). The Terps have given up yardage to other feature backs (122 yards to Indiana’s Tevin Coleman, 73 to South Florida’s Marlon Mack), but have done a good job limiting big plays. They haven’t faced someone with the raw speed of Gordon, however, so it’s hard to know how they’ll match up.
Further reading
For full coverage of Wisconsin, head to Bucky’s 5th Quarter. For more on Maryland, check out Testudo Times.
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