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Maryland Football: Score Prediction vs. Purdue Boilermakers

By Joe Serpico

Sep 17, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Maryland Terrapins offensive lineman Brendan Moore (64) calls out protection during the second half of a football game against the Central Florida Knights at Bright House Networks Stadium. Maryland won 30-24 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Maryland Terrapins offensive lineman Brendan Moore (64) calls out protection during the second half of a football game against the Central Florida Knights at Bright House Networks Stadium. Maryland won 30-24 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Maryland football will kick off their Big Ten Conference play against Purdue this Saturday. Here is our score prediction for the game.

It is homecoming weekend at College Park and the Maryland Terrapins are in good position to open the season with a 4-0 record for the first time since 2013.

The last time the Terps took the field, they needed double overtime to beat UCF. It was a much closer game than many anticipated, but Maryland is three wins away from being bowl eligible. Now, they begin their Big Ten Conference schedule with arguably the worst team in the conference.

The Terrapins were off last week, giving them two weeks to prepare for Purdue. It has been a terrific start for D.J. Durkin, and he has an opportunity to win a homecoming game after hosting Iowa, Michigan State and Clemson the past three seasons.

The Boilermakers are coming off a 24-14 win over Nevada last week. While Purdue is 2-1, there are many around the country that believe they might be the worst team in the Big 10. With that said, Purdue is still a conference opponent and Maryland is not going to blow them out, but a two touchdown win is in the horizon.

Here is our prediction for the game…

The biggest concern for the Terps entering this week is whether Perry Hills will start. All signs point to him being on the field Saturday after a right shoulder injury forced him to leave the game against UCF. Hills has failed to turn the ball over this season and the offense has been able to score against teams it should beat.

The Boilermakers are the opposite. Purdue quarterback David Blough has thrown seven interceptions compared to five touchdowns. The Terps caused four turnovers in their last outing and Blough has struggled against some lesser opponents.

Markell Jones is their biggest threat on offense, racking up 139 total yards in their win over Nevada. Jones also had a solid game against Eastern Kentucky, but was shutdown by Cincinnati. Maryland’s defense is similar in talent and has not allowed more than 17 points through regulation in any of their first three games.

The trio of Terps running backs – Lorenzo Harrison, Trey Edmunds and Ty Johnson – figure to get a lot of work this week with Hills possibly still on the mend. Purdue also does not have anyone who can cover D.J. Moore, who could find the end zone once again.

Related Story: Bowl Eligible Season Possible for Terps

It’s homecoming and Maryland football is clearly the better team here. The Terps will be 4-0 before traveling to State College next weekend for a matchup against Penn State.

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