Maryland hosts struggling Illinois in team's 101st homecoming game

Thu, Oct 12, 2023
NCAAF News (AP)

Illinois (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) at Maryland (5-1, 2-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

Line: Maryland by 13 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Maryland leads 2-0.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

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Maryland will try to recover from a rough loss - a rough second half, mostly - at Ohio State last weekend. Illinois' season is slipping away quickly. The Illini have lost four of five, all by double digits.

KEY MATCHUP

Maryland's offensive line against Illinois DTs Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph. Newton and Randolph are known as the Law Firm, and you do not want them cross examining you. Newton has had 24 QB pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. The Terrapins need to protect QB Taulia Tagovailoa, which has been a struggle at times.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Illinois: WR Isaiah Williams leads the Big Ten in receptions (38) and yards receiving (503). No other Big Ten player has more than 26 catches.

Maryland: CB Tarheeb Still already has three interceptions on the season, and the Terps as a team have eight.

FACTS & FIGURES

Illinois is the 31st different opponent Maryland has hosted for homecoming. The Terps are 61-35-4 in homecoming games. ... The Illini are playing on NBC for the first time during the network's new agreement with the Big Ten. Illinois actually played in the first nationally televised college football game on NBC, a 40-7 win over Stanford in the 1952 Rose Bowl. ... A win would make Maryland bowl eligible at its earliest date since 2001. ... Illinois is dangerous on special teams. Newton has blocked two kicks, and Ashton Hollins and Ryan Meed have blocked punts. ... The Terrapins have a plus-seven turnover margin and lead the conference with 12 takeaways. ... Maryland has six players with at least 11 receptions and 100 yards receiving on the season. Only Temple (seven) has more among FBS teams.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll