USC vs Maryland Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines
By Pete Fiutak,
1 days ago
This is when the Big Ten expansion thing becomes fun. It’s the first ever meeting between the Terps and the Trojans, and there’s a whole lot on the line.
It’s not hyperbole to suggest the season might be over for the loser.
Maryland goes to Minnesota and Oregon after this, and still gets Rutgers, Iowa, and at Penn State. At 3-3, lose to USC and pretty much forget about any hope of getting to six wins and a bowl.
USC lost heartbreakers to Michigan, Minnesota, and Penn State over the last month. All three were by a score or less.
The remaining schedule isn’t that nasty, but there’s still a trip to Washington and home game against Notre Dame. Let’s just say a 3-4 start will make Lincoln Riley’s life a whole lot harder.
Oct 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws a pass in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
USC vs Maryland How to Watch Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024 Game Time: 4:00 pm ET Venue: SECU Stadium, College Park, MD How to Watch: FS1 USC (3-3), Maryland (3-3) - Week 8 Schedule, Predictions
Why Maryland Will Win
The passing game is still working.
It might not be accurate enough, and there weren’t any touchdown passes against Northwestern was the offense stalled too much, but it’s still blowing past 250 yards every game and flirts with 300 yards every time out.
Four turnovers were the main issue against the Wildcats - the Terps were -4 in turnover margin - but for the most part the defense has been great at taking the ball away.
Combine the takeaways - there or more in the four FBS games outside of Northwestern - with that passing game, and there’s a shot. USC turns the ball over, but …
Maryland’s offensive front gives up way too many plays in the backfield.
The pass protection hasn’t been great, the running game isn’t strong, and there are way, way too many tackles for loss allowed.
USC doesn’t have a pass rush, but it’s fantastic at stopping third downs - it leads the Big Ten allowing teams to convert just 27% of their chances.
Maryland might throw well, but there’s a ton of dinking and dunking going on. There aren’t enough deep shots - QB Billy Edwards Jr. doesn’t have the time - and the time of possession battle matter to the team’s style. The Trojans should screw that up.
USC vs Maryland: Who Will Win
Both teams will wing the ball around the yard, and Maryland will stay around on two takeaways, but USC will survive finally be on the right side of a good game again.
The Terps will play better than they did against Northwestern, but the defense will melt down over the final ten minutes.
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