Maryland (2-1 overall, 0-0 B1G) at Minnesota (3-0 overall, 0-0 B1G)
When: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT – Minneapolis, Minn.
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (50,805)
TV/Radio: FS1, KFAN 100.3 FM
Coach: D.J. Durkin (2nd)
Spread: Minnesota -13, o/u: 44
INSIDE THE GAME
Player to Watch
No. 1 DJ Moore has been a consistent and explosive playmaker for the Terps. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound wide receiver leads the Big Ten in receptions per game (7.3), receiving yards per game (104.3) and receiving touchdowns (4). Moore isn’t just a threat when split out wide. The junior has a rushing touchdown and is averaging nearly 15 yards per punt return. With Maryland starting its third-string quarterback, expect the Terps to find creative ways of getting the ball into Moore’s hands.
Coach Speak
“Coach Durkin is a phenomenal football coach, he’s going to get everybody ready to go, and they have four big-time playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, big ones, that are incredibly explosive. None of those guys are hurt and they’re going to make sure they get the ball to them.” – P.J. Fleck
“I told our team and I mean it; there’s no one that cares about our problems and most are glad we have them. That’s the reality of it. So what are we going to do? We’re going to go buckle up, go fight, and do whatever we have to do.” – D.J. Durkin on losing a second QB to an ACL injury
STORYLINE CENTRAL
The big story coming into the game is Maryland’s dire quarterback situation. Don Markus of the Baltimore Sun looks at QB Kasim Hill’s ACL tear, as well as what likely starter Max Bortenschlager brings to the table.
Despite the loss of their top two quarterbacks, the Terps remain optimistic. Per Luke Jackson of the Pressbox, Maryland is ready to rally behind their new signal-caller.
The Gophers will be dealing with injuries woes of the own. Randy Johnson of the Star Tribune wrote about season-ending injuries to Zo Craighton and Melvin Holland. Losing Craighton hurts Minnesota’s thin secondary, and could mean pulling a redshirt off a true freshman.
If you can’t get enough of P.J. Fleck, Bill Bender of Sporting News has a good story about the Gophers’ 3-0 start.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
They can contain the impressive Maryland rushing attack. The will look to take pressure off third-string quarterback Bortenschlager with a an offense that ranks third in the conference with 224 rushing yards per game and an incredible 5.8 yards per carry. Maryland has their work cut out for them, though, as they’re facing the Big Ten’s top rushing defense.The Gophers are allowing just 59 yards on the ground per game, and will need to stop the run to force an inexperienced QB into passing downs.
The Terps Win If…
Find a way to convert on third down. Despite a winning 2-1 record, Maryland has been downright atrocious on third. Through their first three games, the Terps have converted just 7 of their 30 third down attempts, a league-worst 23.3%. If they want to pull the road upset, Maryland will need to find a way to extend drives and keep the Gophers’ emerging offense off the field.