Maryland Football Preview 2025: Can the Terrapins Pull Out of the Nosedive?
What was more real, the 4-8 clunker of last season or the 23-16 three-year stretch with three winning seasons and three bowl wins before it?You can only play who's on your schedule, and Maryland did play a Big Ten slate from 2021 to 2023 - that came after six straight losing seasons - but over those 23 wins during that time, how many came against FBS teams that finished with a winning record?Four, and one was against a 2023 Rutgers team that went 7-6, two were against Group of Five programs, and the other was a 16-12 uggo of a 2022 Duke's Mayo Bowl over an NC State team missing a slew of parts.
It's not like the success under Mike Locksley came with giant victories over Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan.But it's not all about the schedule. Last year's version lost to mediocre Michigan State and Northwestern teams, but it destroyed a UConn team that finished with nine wins, and it snuck by USC.This year's schedule isn't a total breeze, but no Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State, USC, or … Ohio State. That's not bad. In Year Seven, though, under Locksley, not bad isn't good.To be fair, the 2024 team was really, really young. It was a growing pain season, there were some nice gap-fillers from the portal, and the Terps should be better, but …
Maryland Terrapins Preview 2025: Offense
X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN- Everything fell apart. The high-octane offense of past seasons went off early, and then failed to get to 20 points in five of the last seven games. The passing game wasn't bad, but the ground game was lousy, the line struggled throughout, and now it'll take some work with just four starters returning.- The line should be okay with a little bit of time. Two starters are back and Rahtrel Perry of Central Connecticut State is one of the best offensive tackle prospects in the portal. The depth is almost non-existent, but the starting five will be okay.Top running back Roman Hemby left for Indiana, but No. 2 runner Nolan Ray is a decent all-around back who'll be fine if the blocking is better.
- With former starter Billy Edwards off to Wisconsin, UCLA transfer Justyn Martin needs to be ready from jump. He's a 6-4, 220-pound former top pro-style get for the Bruins, and he has just enough experience to not be totally green.- Most of the top targets are gone including All-Big Ten star Tai Felton, but Octavian Smith Is back after finishing fourth on the team with 30 grabs. He's the main veteran, but fifth-year senior Jalil Farooq (Oklahoma) is a deep threat and Kaleb Webb (Tennessee) has a few years of experience. Tight end Dorian Fleming is coming off a 49-catch, six-touchdown season at Georgia State.
Maryland Terrapins Preview 2025: Defense
- The offense was bad, but the defense was worse. The pass rush was the worst in the Big Ten for a D that allowed over 30 points per game, but there's hope for a big turnaround if the young prospects who took their lumps are ready.- The secondary has some parts. Jalen Huskey and Lavain Scruggs are decent veteran safeties, and the transfer combination of Jamare Glasker (Wake Forest) and Dontay Joyner (Arkansas State) are ready right away.- Daniel Wingate on the outside and Michael Harris in the middle give the Terps a good 1-2 linebacking punch, but a pass rush has to emerge from somewhere. The rebuilding defensive front needs the full fall camp to find the right rotation with Trey Reddick and Neeo Avery needing to play big on the outside.
Maryland Terrapins Key to the Season
Find a pass rush.Coming up with lots and lots of sacks wasn't the norm at Maryland, but in 2023 it generated pressure from everywhere with several parts involved.The 34 sacks were big, the returning talent was there, and - cue the sad trombone - the defense came up with 14 in all with 11 in the first six games. There aren't proven parts coming back, but the pressure needs to be there, so …
Maryland Terrapins Key Player
Trey Reddick, LB Soph.A good recruit for the program last year, he saw a little bit of work with one start, action in the rotation, and he came up with a sack and 16 tackles. He and junior DJ Samuels have to be the ones who change the defense around.
Maryland Terrapins Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss
Top Transfer In: Rahtrel Perry, OT Jr.It would be nice if the 6-5, 305-pound junior was a bit bigger, but as is he has the tools and experience to be an instant starter at left tackle. A superstar get in the portal, the veteran from Central Connecticut State has All-Big Ten potential.Top Transfer Out: Roman Hemby, RB Sr.A key part of the Terp offense for just over three seasons, he leaves for Indiana after running for over 2,300 yards and 22 scores with 112 catches and five touchdowns.
Maryland Terrapins Key Game
at Wisconsin, Sept. 20The first three games are against Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, and Towson - Maryland should be 3-0. After going to Wisconsin, dates with Washington and Nebraska are up next. So five of the first six games are in College Park, all are winnable, and it would be a huge to come up with the first win ever - 0-4 so far - against the Badgers. - 2025 Maryland Terrapins Schedule Breakdown
Maryland Terrapins Top 10 Players
1. Jalen Huskey, S Sr.2. Rahtrel Perry, OT Jr.3. Daniel Wingate, LB Jr.4. Lavain Scruggs, S Jr.5. Dorian Fleming, TE Soph.6. Jalil Farooq, WR Sr.7. Nolan Ray, RB Soph.8. Justyn Martin, QB Jr.9. Bryce McFerson, P Jr.10. Dontay Joyner, CB Jr.
Maryland Terrapins 2024 Fun Stats
- Fumbles: Opponents 13 (lost 8), Maryland 9 (lost 6)- Points Allowed: 1st Quarter 58, 2nd Quarter 137- Sacks: Opponents 26 for 200 yards, Maryland 14 for 94 yards
Maryland Terrapins 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen
There aren't enough sure-thing playmakers, there's no superstar power, and there's not enough in place to make it seem like the Terps could and should be better than the 4-8 run last year.Last year's team couldn't seem to do anything right in the Big Ten outside of a mini-miracle against USC, but there's no Penn State or Oregon this year.
There also no Ohio State on the slate, and three of the five conference road games are against teams that didn't go bowling last year - and Rutgers and Illinois are winnable if the Terps can get the O going again.There shouldn't be a repeat of last year's disaster, but there are still too many concerns to make too much noise.
However, the team should match the four wins of last year by the middle of the season, but where are the November wins going to come from?It'll take an upset or two, but Maryland should be two wins better to get bowl eligible.Set The Maryland Terrapins Win Total At … 5.5Likely Wins: Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, Towson50/50 Games: at Illinois, Indiana, at Michigan State, Nebraska, at Rutgers, at UCLA, Washington, at WisconsinLikely Losses: Michigan
© 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Denny Hamlin wins Michigan, taunts crowd while awaiting third child
BROOKLYN, Mich. — Denny Hamlin could feel nerves during the race Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. His fiancée, Jordan Fish, was six days past due with their third child and Hamlin and his team had decided if they got past Lap 50 of the 200-lap race, he wouldn't be told if she went into labor. Things worked out for Hamlin. He won at Michigan and 90 minutes after the race, was still at the track doing media. He talked about why he needs to be at the birth, baby names … and fierce taunts of the crowd in Michigan. That's Hamlin, living amid chaos and then creating even more for himself. "I don't want to be so ho-hum with winning that it's boring because then I lose my drive," Hamlin said. Hamlin, who has a group of friends who are Ohio State fans, gave the "O" sign to the Michigan crowd and resurrected his line that he told his father he wouldn't use anymore as he crowed to the crowd: "I beat your favorite driver." The boos reigned and Hamlin chuckled. "I do thrive on it just simply because you feel like you've got 60,000 people that are rooting against you," Hamlin said. "When you have that, it just feels really, really good and gratifying to prove them wrong. "I love that feeling." Hamlin had spent Saturday night in Michigan as Fish had not had any labor symptoms. Fish posted an Instagram story late in the race that she was at home. "I felt decent enough about it," Hamlin said. "We had to set some sort of cutoff of whether I was going to finish or not. "So I was very nervous last night and then this morning to getting the call because I knew I had a race-winning car after yesterday." Hamlin is known to run well, even with outside distractions. And he has the additional drama of the race team he owns (but doesn't drive for) 23XI Racing embroiled in a lawsuit against NASCAR. Earlier in the week, the team was dealt a blow in the U.S Court of Appeals and faces the prospect of the 23XI Racing cars not being chartered in a few weeks. It seems that he has been able to focus when he's at the track since that lawsuit was filed last October. The worries about missing the birth of his child, though, seemed to weigh on him more. With JGR simulator driver Ryan Truex at the track, in case he needed to leave, Hamlin knew the team was prepared for him to leave if Fish went into labor. He knew he had a strong car and had a good feeling about the race. Granted, Hamlin didn't have the fastest car. Chris Buescher probably did, but his car wiggled as he tried to run down the leaders late in the race. This cost him valuable momentum and he ended up coming across the line a second after Hamlin. \ William Byron had a strong car, but like many others, he had to save gas near the end, relinquishing the lead with less than four laps to go and then running out with a little over a lap remaining. Hamlin's team made sure he had enough fuel on the final stop to be on the attack at the end. And he executed flawlessly to the finish. And his wife was still at home, posting on Instagram near the end of the race. "I was a little nervous just because we put the Lap 50 cutoff," Hamlin said. "If it happens before Lap 50, I just go ahead and get out, just because of the time. "If it was after, I thought that by the time she gets her s--- together and gets to the hospital, all that stuff? You just never how it all turns out. But I think I can make it, as long as I had a three-hour window." It marked the third win of the year for Hamlin and his 57th career victory in his 701st start. Now it's on to Mexico City, and Hamlin indicated he would be willing to stay home if Fish has not given birth by the weekend. Obviously, it is a much longer flight from there than it would have been from Michigan to his North Carolina home. NASCAR would grant Hamlin a waiver to miss a race and consider it for medical reasons, meaning he would still make the playoffs and get to keep playoff points earned during the season. "It's the bigger picture. You never know when you'll ever have another one," Hamlin said about wanting to be home for the birth of the child. "You may not. I've been really supportive of her, the way that she wants to have this play out, which is as natural as possible. "Everyone asks, 'Why don't you just schedule, schedule, schedule?' I don't know. You've just got to let her decide in these situations. If it causes me to miss a race, it's one of 701 races that I missed and it's just not that big of a deal." His team owner, Heather Gibbs, when asked earlier about whether she was nervous for Hamlin, quipped: "It's funny, because I have four [children]. They [husbands] don't really do anything. When he gets home, he'll be home. It was good." Hamlin's response: "Well, that is true. I've been in the room before, and she needs something really hard to grab onto, and my hand is perfect for it. I'm definitely going to be there this week — hopefully — to hold her hand." The same could have been said for the way Hamlin grabbed the lead just when he needed to and held on for the victory. "He kind of thrives in chaos, right?" Heather Gibbs said. "It was true, we wanted to get him in the car. ... He's as cool as they come, that's for sure." Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from NASCAR Cup Series Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Pete Alonso closing in on Mets home run record
Associated Press DENVER (AP) — When he re-signed with the New York Mets last winter, Pete Alonso saw an opportunity to become the team's career leader in home runs and multihomer games. He checked one record off his list Sunday with a pair of two-run shots in a 13-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies — and the burly first baseman is closing in on the other. Alonso's 23rd multihomer game broke a tie with Darryl Strawberry for the most in Mets history. The four-time All-Star and two-time Home Run Derby champion now has 243 career homers, passing David Wright (242) for second place on the franchise list — nine behind Strawberry. 'Honestly, it's just one of those things where I can't really be too involved in it,' Alonso said. 'For me, I just want to win. Whatever happens, capitalize on certain pitches in the zone, then I'll get my chance to do so by helping my team win. That's always been the focus.' Alonso hit two of New York's season-high six homers to help complete a 5-2 trip. He has six home runs and two multihomer games in June after going deep just four times in 27 games in May. He went 5 for 14 during the weekend series and has raised his batting average from .288 to .301 over the last eight games. 'There's a lot to like about his bat right now,' manager Carlos Mendoza said. 'Just dominating pitches in the strike zone. That's who he is. We know that the power's always been there, but now we're looking at a really good hitter.' Alonso wasn't the only Mets player with a banner day. Juan Soto had three hits and walked three times to reach base in all six plate appearances. He became the first New York player to accomplish that feat since Alonso on Aug. 15, 2019, at Atlanta. 'It's not easy to do at the big league level,' Mendoza said. 'You get six times at the plate and you find a way to get on base. Finally getting results, but I feel the at-bat quality has been there.' Alonso's path toward becoming the Mets' career home run leader began when he set the major league record for rookies with 53 in 2019. He has hit at least 34 homers in each of his five full big league seasons and is on pace for 41 this year. 'Pete's been pretty incredible this year. He's been locked in every single at-bat,' said teammate Jeff McNeil, who also hit two home runs Sunday. 'Seems like big situations he's going to do some damage. 'It's fun to watch and I feel like he's putting on a show every time he's at the ballpark.' ___ AP MLB: recommended
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot tearns ACL, will miss rest of 2025 WNBA season
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot tearns ACL, will miss rest of 2025 WNBA season Show Caption Hide Caption Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith are back together again in Chicago USAT's Meghan Hall joins Sports Seriously's Mackenzie Salmon to talk about the duo in Chicago that is Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith. Sports Seriously The 2025 WNBA season hasn't been the best start for the Chicago Sky. And now, the team was dealt a major blow to a star. Guard Courtney Vandersloot suffered a torn right torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Saturday's loss to the Indiana Fever, the Sky announced. She will undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season. The injury happened in the first quarter against Indiana in the first ever WNBA game at the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls. Vandersloot was driving to the basket when she immediately went down and was in visible pain as she grabbed her right knee. Her teammates huddled around her, and she was eventually taken back to the locker room with the help of medical staff. She didn't return for the remainder of the contest. The Fever won the game 79-52. It's a brutal injury as the WNBA veteran was playing her first season back with the team that selected her No. 3 overall in the 2011 draft. Vandersloot spent the first 11 seasons with Chicago and was instrumental in the team capturing its first WNBA title in 2021. She signed with the New York Liberty in 2023 and spent two seasons with the team, helping the Liberty win their first championship last year. A five-time WNBA All-Star, Vandersloot is second in league history in assists with 2,887 career dimes, trailing Sue Bird's 3,234 assists. She also owns several franchise records in Chicago, including most games played, points, assists and steals, while ranking in the top five of several other categories. She re-signed with the team in February. "She's our engine," Sky coach Tyler Marsh said following the game against Indiana. "She's our captain and our leader out there, so obviously, it's a huge blow." Vandersloot averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and a team-high 5.3 assists per game in seven games played. Chicago is 2-5 on the season, standing in 11th place in the league as the team tries to get back to the postseason after missing it in 2024. "It's heartbreaking. It's heartbreaking to watch anybody, but especially one of our teammates and someone that means as much as Sloot does to this team and organization," Hailey Van Lith said postgame. "Whatever is in store in the future for this team, I trust we will find a way to make this moment mean something in the end." Contributing: Nancy Armour
