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Maryland Football vs. Minnesota: 3 Keys to a Terps Win in Big Ten Opener

By Anthony Brown

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 15: Members of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate with fans following their 31-10 win over the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on October 15, 2016 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 15: Members of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate with fans following their 31-10 win over the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on October 15, 2016 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Maryland football begins Big Ten conference play on the road against the Minnesota football team as the Terps start Max Bortenschlager at quarterback.

Maryland football (2-1) now is under new leadership at the quarterback position. Max Bortenschlager is the man under center, and the team is facing an undefeated Minnesota Golden Gophers team Saturday, Sept. 30.

Minnesota football welcomes Maryland to TCF Bank Stadium to start Big Ten Conference play with a perfect 3-0 record. Favored at home, ESPN gives Minnesota 74 percent chance to win against Maryland football this Saturday and advance to 4-0.

The Golden Gophers have not allowed more than 14 points in their first three games this season and scored 48 points in week two against the Oregon State Beavers.

Last season, Maryland football lost to Minnesota 31-10 where they outgained the Terps in total yards (311-291), time of possession (34:12-25:48) and Maryland football turned the ball over four times.

This season, the Terps are better in points per game, rushing and passing yards per game in addition to total yards per game. Minnesota, however, has the edge on Maryland where it matters: third down conversion (42 percent – 23 percent) and red zone scoring  (85 percent – 73 percent).

3 Keys to a Maryland Terrapins Football Victory

  1. Terps quarterback Max Bortenschlager must protect himself after season-ending knee injuries to the Terps first two quarterbacks, Tyrrell Pigrome and Kasim Hill, both to ACL tears.
  2. Maryland’s running game has to be a factor in order for their passing game to succeed. If Minnesota shuts down Ty Johnson and Lorenzo Harrison III, their offense will suffer and Minnesota will take over from there.
  3. Defensively, getting pressure on Connor Rhoda and producing sacks or at least hitting him when he throws the ball will be important. Junior Running Back Rodney Smith scored two touchdowns on the Terps defense in the 2016 meeting. Stopping the run will be just as important. Jermaine Carter Jr., Shane Cockerille and Chandler Burkett will have to have great performances in order to make this last key happen.

Fans can see Maryland football take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers at noon on Fox Sports 1.

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