Written by: TJ Inman
Head Coach: Mike Locksley (7th season)
Overall: 39-70 (17-43)
Bowl Appearances at Maryland: Three
2024 Record: 4-3 (1-3)
Mascot: Testudo
Colors: Red, White, Gold and Black
Outfitter: Under Armour
National Titles: One (1951)
Conference Titles: 11
Heisman Winners: –
Last Week: Bye week, most recent game was 20-17 loss to UCLA
Betting Information
For the upcoming Week 9 matchup against Maryland, the betting information lists Indiana as a 21.5-point favorite (Indiana -21.5), with the point total (over/under) set at 50.5. Fans looking to learn more about the betting lines and get even more involved in the action can do so by using Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
Indiana (-21.5) at Maryland | Total of 50.5
Statistical Leaders
Passing: Malik Washington – 160 of 268 (59.7%) for 1716 yards with 11 TDs and 3 INTs
Rushing: DeJuan Williams – 83 rushes for 292 yards (3.52 ypc) with 2 TDs
Receiving: Shaleak Knotts – 26 receptions for 421 yards with 5 TDs
Tackles: Daniel Wingate – 65 tackles including 44 solo
Stat of the Week: The Maryland Terrapins are only 1-3 in the Big Ten but they have scored 95 points in Big Ten games and only surrendered 88 points (+7 in aggregate). The three losses have come by a total of ten points.
Terrapins’ Talking Points
- Close but No Cigar
The Maryland Terrapins started the season with four-straight victories including a road victory at Wisconsin that had hopes high in College Park. As has often been the case under Mike Locksley though, Maryland has faded as Big Ten play ramps up. Maryland has battled very hard and they were ahead in the fourth quarter against Washington, Nebraska and UCLA before collapsing late and losing each contest. Locksley is, once again, firmly on the hot seat and his Terrapins need to find ways to close games. They still have five games remaining, including trips to Rutgers and Illinois and home games against Michigan and Michigan State so a bowl game is still on the table if they can figure that out.
2. Malik Washington and the Passing Game
The biggest question entering the season for Maryland was how they would handle the quarterback situation after Billy Edwards left for Wisconsin. Mike Locksley chose to give the keys to local freshman Malik Washington and the well-regarded recruit was terrific to begin the campaign. He threw for 258 yards with three touchdowns against FAU, 254 yards with two touchdowns against Northern Illinois and 261 yards with a touchdown (and his first interception) against Towson. His completion percentage dipped against Wisconsin but he played clean football on the road in the Big Ten and had 265 yards plus two touchdowns in the win over the Badgers. In the past three games, Washington has only three touchdowns and two interceptions and the yards per attempt has dropped to 4.5 against Washington, 6.7 against Nebraska and 4.4 against UCLA. For context, Fernando Mendoza’s yards per attempt this season is 9.5. IU will need to be very ready for short and quick passes. Maryland gets the ball out of Washington’s hand very quickly by throwing to DeJuan Williams (20 receptions as a running back) or Nolan Ray (9 receptions) or short passes to his wide receivers. That strategy has helped the Maryland offensive line only surrender .3 sacks per game (tied for first in the nation). The Terrapins don’t run the ball well at all but the screen game serves as an extension of the running game and Indiana must defend those better than they did against Michigan State.
3. Improved Defense
The most surprising part about the Terrapins this season has been how well their defense has played. Despite some key personnel losses, the Terrapins have put up some impressive numbers: 26th in the country in sack percentage (7.82%), 12th in the country in points allowed per game (17.3), 33rd in rushing yards per attempt (3.7), 26th in third down conversion (34.41%). Jalen Huskey leads the team with three interceptions and the Terrapins have intercepted opposing quarterbacks 14 times and returned four picks for touchdowns. Add in a couple of fumbles recovered and Maryland is first in the country in turnover margin at +1.7 per game. That’s certainly aided by +6 in that department in the season opener against Florida Atlantic but Maryland’s defense has been a real bright spot and they have the ability to give the Hoosiers some problems in College Park.