Know Your Opponent Week 5: Maryland Terrapins

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Maryland opens up their first year in the Big Ten by taking on the upstart Indiana Hoosiers

Maryland opens up their first year in the Big Ten by taking on the upstart Indiana Hoosiers

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

This Years Record: 3-1 (0-0 T-2nd in Big Ten East)

Head Coach: Randy Edsall (4th Year)

Overall: 90-95-0 (.495)

At Maryland 16-25

Bowls: 3-3

Last Years Record: 7-6 (3-5) Lost the Military Bowl 31-20 to Marshall

Bowls Since 2000: 8 Appearances (5-3 Record)

Mascot: Testudo

Colors: Red and White

Outfitter: Under Armour

National Titles: 1  (1953)

Conference Titles: 11

Heisman Winners: 0

Fun Fact: When Maryland Athletics began the teams had no official colors.

1. Stefon Diggs is as Good as it Gets- The junior wide receiver has been put on almost every offensive award watch list for the 2014 season and he is not disappointing. After missing the last half of 2013 with a broken leg Diggs leads Maryland with 286 yards and a touchdown. While those numbers may seem tame, Diggs also is a threat on the kick return team. He is averaging 29.4 yards per return with a long of 59. Needless to say that the Hoosiers will have their hands full on Saturday with this player.

2. CJ Brown is a Dual-Threat QB- You would think that Maryland would have one of the better passing quarterbacks in the Big Ten with the weapons they possess, but CJ Brown is much more of a threat with his feet. The Terrapins signal caller is also the team’s leading rusher accumulating 244 yards and four scores on the ground. Brown is not too shabby through the air either as he has completed just over 55 percent of his passes for 833 yards and six touchdowns. Brown does have a tendency to be careless with the ball highlighted by his three interceptions.

3. William Likely Will be A Handful to Deal With- Not only is he the best defender for Maryland, he is coming off a week where he grabbed the conference’s defensive player of the week award for his performance against Syracuse. On the season Likely is third on the team in tackles with 27, including three for a loss, leads the team in interceptions with two, and has forced a fumble. However, Likely is not just a stud on defense, he can be a game breaker as a punt returner. He has returned six punts for an average of 27.5 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown. This guy is a playmaker and could be the difference in the game.

4. Maryland Can Win on the Road- The Terrapins come into their first ever Big Ten game with something to prove. However, they have proven this year that they can score a victory on the road. Maryland has won both of their games away from College Park this season. They defeated South Florida 24-17 in Week 2 and knocked off Syracuse 34-20 at the Carrier Dome last week. This road venues may not put much fright into anyone, but then again when has playing in Bloomington? Maryland will be ready to go and kick off their Big Ten lives.