182 replies to this topic

[BSLZackKiesel]

After completing an undefeated month of September, Maryland faces their toughest test of the season thus far when #5 Iowa comes to College Park for a Friday night matchup. This game represents a massive opportunity for the Terrapins to see how their team stacks up against a Top 5 opponent. The Hawkeyes currently hold a 4-0 (1-0) record with victories over Colorado State, Indiana, Iowa State, and Kent State. They're led by Kirk Ferentz, who is in his 23rd season as their head coach.

 

This is a team led by their defense, who's given up the third-fewest points per game in the country. They've forced 6 interceptions and 3 fumbles through their first four games, and have posted 13 sacks. They're a disciplined, smart football team who is fundamentally strong and typically doesn't beat themselves.

 

Iowa Rush Offense: 121.3 ypg (#109 in country)

Iowa Pass Offense: 171.8 ypg (#119 in country)

 

Iowa Rush Defense: 84.5 yapg (#18 in country)

Iowa Pass Defense: 187.0 yapg (#38 in country)

 

Maryland Rush Offense: 166.0 ypg (#63 in country)

Maryland Pass Offense: 353.3 ypg (#8 in country)

 

​Maryland Rush Defense: 111.8 yapg (#39 in country)

Maryland Pass Defense: 212.5 yapg (#61 in country)

 

BSL Game Preview: https://baltimorespo...-maryland-iowa/

​Talking Terps Game Preview: Coming September 30th.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Jump on Iowa -4 early

[BSLZackKiesel]

Jump on Iowa -4 early

Looks like the line has already moved in Maryland's direction. Iowa is now only favored by 3 points.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Interestingly enough, this is the first time that Maryland will be hosting a Top 5 opponent since 2007 when they lost to #4 West Virginia by a score of 31-14. The last time they beat a team ranked in the Top 5 was #5 Florida State at home in 2004.

[BSLMikeLowe]

This is an interesting matchup. In terms of pure talent, MD matches up pretty well with the Hawkeyes, and probably has an overall edge at the skill positions. But as we’ve seen, the Terps are prone to the sort of mistakes that make a difference, and Iowa is the perfect example of a disciplined team that makes you pay for that.

[BSLMikeLowe]

They're led by Kirk Ferentz, who is in his 23rd season as their head coach.

Pretty remarkable in this day and age of college football he’s lasted that long, currently the longest tenured HC in college football. He’s won just two conference championships in that time, both shared and both early in his tenure (2002 and 2004). He played for one other in 2015. Credit to the administration at Iowa to recognize Ferentz is a damn good coach and they are very unlikely to do better if they try to replace him.

 

Just as a point of reference for how long Ferentz has been there, the job he held right before being hired at Iowa was OL coach of the Ravens. Under Ted Marchibroda.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Pretty remarkable in this day and age of college football he’s lasted that long, currently the longest tenured HC in college football. He’s won just two conference championships in that time, both shared and both early in his tenure (2002 and 2004). He played for one other in 2015. Credit to the administration at Iowa to recognize Ferentz is a damn good coach and they are very unlikely to do better if they try to replace him.

Just as a point of reference for how long Ferentz has been there, the job he held right before being hired at Iowa was OL coach of the Ravens. Under Ted Marchibroda.

Even more amazing is the fact that he’s had just three losing records in the regular season during his last 22 years there, the last one coming in 2012 and the others in his first two years on the job. He’s consistently good for 8-10 wins and churns out NFL players like it’s nobody’s business.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Even more amazing is the fact that he’s had just three losing records in the regular season during his last 22 years there, the last one coming in 2012 and the others in his first two years on the job. He’s consistently good for 8-10 wins and churns out NFL players like it’s nobody’s business.

Iowa knows a good coach when they see one. Since 1979 they’ve had just two; Ferentz and Hayden Fry.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Looks like the line has already moved in Maryland's direction. Iowa is now only favored by 3 points.

Iowa likely isnt a top 5 team but still a very good team. MD just doesnt win these games. Locksley especially doesnt win these games. In fact he almost always gets boatraced. Iowa -3 is a 5 star play.

[glenn__davis]

I feel like every time we've had one of these big games in the past decade or so we've been absolutely waxed.  I'm just hoping for a competitive game.

[Mackus]

I feel like every time we've had one of these big games in the past decade or so we've been absolutely waxed.  I'm just hoping for a competitive game.

 

You're forgetting the OSU game in 2018!  

[BSLChrisStoner]

MD's O-Line has held up pretty well so far. 

 

MD's D-Line and Front 7 has rapidly improved over the last two years.  
You can see the increased athleticism. 

 

MD's got high quality skill position talent, and a QB that can use the talent... as long as he stays upright. 

 

 

MD has to learn how to play in these types of games. 
Part of that is not falling all over yourself, and getting boat raced early. 

 

But I don't think Iowa is really built to run and hide... it's more bully ball.  So, how do your lines hold-up?

 

And other basic things...  can you make plays and avoid errors in Special Teams?

Can you avoid giving the ball away?

 

Can you get out early and play from ahead?  Start to have the crowd get into the game and believe?

 

 

Iowa is a Top 5 team that expects to win.
MD is a Top 30 team that hopes to compete. 

 

Have a great atmosphere, and keep extending the game as long as possible. 

[BSLZackKiesel]

Speaking of Maryland’s offensive line, Pro Football Focus graded them as the best unit in the country for their performance last week against Kent State. They’ve been spectacular all year long.

[BSLMikeLowe]

You're forgetting the OSU game in 2018!  

 

I think by "big game" he means the lead-up to the actual game. That 2018 team had mostly been written off by the time they played OSU, and that they nearly knocked them off came out of nowhere. This feels more like the PSU game in 2019, hopefully with a vastly different result.

[glenn__davis]

I think by "big game" he means the lead-up to the actual game. That 2018 team had mostly been written off by the time they played OSU, and that they nearly knocked them off came out of nowhere. This feels more like the PSU game in 2019, hopefully with a vastly different result.

 

Correct.  And then wasn't Edsall ranked before going to FSU and losing 63-0?  Yeah, I'm talking about those early season games, where the fans have a bit of optimism, and then it's crushed mercilessly.

 

That Ohio State game was amazing though.  I often wonder how the program would be different if Pigrome converts the 2-point play.  The Terps would have went bowling.  Would Canada have been retained?  Would they still have moved to Locksley?  We'll never know.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Correct.  And then wasn't Edsall ranked before going to FSU and losing 63-0?  Yeah, I'm talking about those early season games, where the fans have a bit of optimism, and then it's crushed mercilessly.

Yes, they were ranked #25 before that Florida State game in 2013. One key difference between this Iowa game and the Penn State game in 2019 is that they'd already lost to Temple and Syracuse had proven not to be the quality win they were originally thought to be. Maryland is still undefeated this season, and their win over West Virginia is looking better and better every week.

 

But you're right, they have yet to prove as a program that they can even compete in these sorts of games, much less win them. It's a big test.

[Mike B]

This one is real simple for Maryland.  Do you want to be taken seriously in the B10 and nationally.  Stand up and make a statement.

[You Play to Win the Game]

They're not there yet. I can't see this being close.

[BaltBird 24]

At least keep it close. Don't get embarrassed.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Unless you turn the ball over a lot, like Indiana and Iowa St did, then Iowa is not the sort of team that’s going to blow anyone out. They’re not overflowing with talent like Ohio State.

 

If the Terps play a clean game like they did against West Virginia, I feel very good about them keeping it close. If they play like they did against Illinois for 3.5 quarters, then it might get ugly.