Maryland Football: Score Prediction vs. Florida International
By Joe Serpico
Maryland football will look to keep the DJ Durkin era off to a perfect start when they travel to Miami to play Florida International.
The Maryland Terrapins did exactly what we expected them to do against the Howard Bison. They throttled the FCS team, 52-13, and controlled much of the game on the ground. The Terps racked up 317 yards rushing alone, while holding the Bison offense to 269 total yards.
It will not be that easy this week. This is the first road test for DJ Durkin and a step up in competition.
Florida International is no powerhouse by any stretch of the imagination. They finished 5-7 overall last season and 3-5 in Conference USA play. However, they had a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter against Indiana last week, only to let the Hooisers rout them in the fourth in the 34-13 loss.
The last time Maryland football took the field, basically everyone played. Three quarterbacks got playing time and six different players scored rushing touchdowns. That will not be the case against the Golden Panthers, but another win should be in the works.
FIU has a strong-armed quarterback in Alex McGough, but he was the primary culprit in the loss against Indiana. He threw three interceptions and no touchdowns, and struggled to get the ball to the skill players. The Golden Panthers are not blessed with a ton of talent at those positions to begin with. The best player on offense is senior tight end Jonnu Smith, who was named to the John Mackey watch list.
Terps quarterback Perry Hills was 14-of-19 for 126 yards against Howard. While the rushing attack will always be the focus in Walt Bell‘s offense, Hills will be asked to air it out more in this one. FIU has more talent than Howard, and their secondary might be the strongest unit on the team. This game could be a good barometer of just how much Bell trust Bell to make throws.
Next: Five Takeways From Win vs. Howard
Florida International’s run defense struggled against Indiana and that’s the ultimate reason in why the Terps get the win. Maryland is going to run it down their throats with the three-headed attack of Ty Johnson, Trey Edmunds and Kenneth Dixon, Hills will make a few plays when called upon and Maryland will be 2-0 to start the season.