The Terps look to spoil the Ducks’ perfect season.
Maryland football didn’t perform well the last time it was fresh off a bye week, losing to an average Northwestern team, 37-10. Now, the Terps are staring down the toughest matchup they could possibly draw after their second bye week: No. 1 Oregon.
The Ducks did not appear to be on the trajectory of the nation’s No. 1 team, pulling out close victories in their first two weeks against Idaho and Boise State. But Oregon has been scorching-hot as of late, notching significant wins over No. 3 Ohio State, Illinois and Michigan.
It’s safe to say the Terps will get the very best from a team that’s gunning for a top seed in the College Football Playoff.
Saturday’s game will begin at 7 p.m. EST and air on FOX.
Oregon Ducks (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten)
Head coach Dan Lanning is in his third season at the helm of the Ducks, and he’s had plenty of success thus far. In his first season, he led the team to a 10-3 record and a victory over North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl. Oregon was even better in 2023, going 12-2 before losing to eventual national runner-up Washington in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Players to watch
Dillon Gabriel, senior quarterback, No. 8 — It’s impossible to preview Oregon without mentioning Gabriel. He’s been one of the premier passers in college football over the past five years and has emerged as a true Heisman contender this year. Gabriel leads the Big Ten in completion percentage (74.8%), passing yards (2,665) and passing touchdowns (19), while having thrown just five interceptions.
Tez Johnson, senior wide receiver, No. 15 — Johnson, like Tai Felton, is one of the Big Ten’s most formidable wide receivers. He also possesses a similar skill archetype to the Maryland wideout as a natural separator, with the ability to work well in space and after the catch. On the season, he’s tied for fourth in the Big Ten with 649 receiving yards and is second in the conference with eight touchdowns.
Matayo Uiagalelei, sophomore linebacker, No. 10 — The brother of Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, he is a complete force off the edge for the Ducks. He’s second in the Big Ten in sacks with 7.5 and fourth in tackles for loss with 9.5. He’s also forced two fumbles this year.
Jabbar Muhammad, senior defensive back, No. 7 — Muhammad is quite familiar with high-stakes college football, having played on Washington last season. Now, he’s excelling with the Ducks, currently tied for third in the Big Ten with eight passes defended. He also has 28 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.
Strength
Passing offense. Oregon is exceptional in almost every facet of the game, but its passing offense is important to highlight for two reasons. First, it has legitimate NFL skill with the likes of Gabriel, Johnson and wide receiver Evan Stewart. Secondly, it has extreme potential to illustrate the clear weaknesses of the Terps’ secondary Saturday. The Ducks have the No. 1 passing offense in the Big Ten.
Weakness
Red zone efficiency. The No. 1 team in the country doesn’t have too many weaknesses, but the Ducks have not been nearly as dominant in the red zone as they’ve been almost everywhere else. They still convert at an 87.2% rate, which ranks eighth in the conference. But that mark is actually lower than Maryland, which ranks seventh. The Ducks have also thrown three red zone interceptions, the most in the conference.
Three things to watch
1. Starting fast. It’s possible the Terps’ only hope of winning this game is quickly gaining a lead. That will mean they need to cut down on mistakes they have consistently made, including early-down penalties and poor reads. A quick-pass offense early on may catch the Ducks off guard, and Felton could be a huge beneficiary.
2. Slowing the juggernaut. Oregon has scored 38 points in each of its past two games, with Gabriel throwing for nearly 300 yards in both, to go along with four total passing touchdowns. Maryland’s experienced defensive line will likely need to create ample pressure on the elusive Ducks quarterback to aid its secondary.
3. How will the run game fare? Maryland running backs Roman Hemby and Nolan Ray have had pedestrian games over the past few weeks. A balanced attack will be important to function against Oregon’s skilled defense.