Who doesn’t love Friday Night Lights?
After Northwestern pulled out a 33-27 victory over Maryland in Evanston last season, the ‘Cats travel to Maryland for their third game of conference action. With NU looking to win in College Park for the first time since 2017, here’s how our staffers think tonight’s battle between the ‘Cats and Terrapins will shape out:
Adam Beck: Maryland 35, Northwestern 17
This Maryland passing attack is going to have a field day against Northwestern’s secondary. Billy Edwards Jr. has lit it up this season and with Tai Felton and Kaden Prather on the outside, Northwestern’s secondary is likely to struggle for the third straight game of Big Ten competition. Jack Lausch looked better against Indiana, but Maryland’s offense might just be too potent for the ‘Cats offense to have a say in this one.
Brendan Preisman: Maryland 28, Northwestern 21
This game will be a matchup of great run defenses (Northwestern is 18th, Maryland 34th) against pretty bad rushing offenses (101st and 79th, respectively). The key to Maryland’s success this season has been turnover luck — the Terrapins are +11 on the season, tied for the best mark in the country. Billy Edwards Jr. runs the offense incredibly well, and his success in the RPO game provides a dark forecast for Friday’s contest, considering how badly the Wildcats’ secondary got burned by Kurtis Rourke and Indiana last week. My bold prediction: Joe Himon II gets a kick return touchdown to keep Northwestern in it, but the ‘Cats’ offense fades in the fourth and Tai Felton seals the deal with a long score.
Charlie Jacobs: Maryland 28, Northwestern 20
Even though Billy Edwards Jr. isn’t as good as Kurtis Rourke, he still is one of the better passers in the country. Northwestern has been torched by Denzel Boston and Elijah Sarratt in their two prior Big Ten matchups, but their toughest test is coming up now in Tai Felton and his sixth-most receiving yards in the country. The secondary for the ‘Cats still needs to be better, but the front seven should play better. With the Terrapins fresh off a bye and the ‘Cats traveling on a short week, Jack Lausch will need to put up points against a well-rested team following his breakout game against Indiana. Even with an improved Lausch, though, this Maryland offense will prove to be too overpowering for this Northwestern secondary and seal the win for the Terps.
Ascher Levin: Northwestern 21, Maryland 17
Quarterback Billy Edwards has led the Terrapins to a decent start, throwing for 1,444 yards and 11 touchdowns with just two interceptions. His go-to receiver, Tai Felton, has 642 yards and five touchdowns in five games. Northwestern will have to make sure it improves its passing defense especially after getting shredded by Kurtis Rourke. Maryland, coming off a bye week, will have an advantage in preparation, while Northwestern is on a short week. Offensively, Northwestern showed flashes of promise against Indiana, with Jack Lausch leading one of their more complete performances this season. Though Lausch had his inconsistent moments, if the ‘Cats can maintain that level of play from last week, they’ll have a chance to have a solid offensive game. Additionally, with the likely return of defensive lineman Carmine Bastone, last week’s defensive issues should prove to be an aberration. With the team’s withering bowl game hopes on the line, I’m predicting NU pulls off an upset as 10-point underdogs.
Natalie Wells: Maryland 27, Northwestern 23
I want to believe the ‘Cats will upset the Terps in College Park. I really do. When I think about this matchup, my mind immediately goes back to NU’s 21-point comeback win against Minnesota last season. Do I think Jack Lausch is capable of throwing for 396 yards like Ben Bryant did in that fateful win? Not at this stage in his career. But, I think the youngster will continue his development on the road and throw for over 200 yards in consecutive weeks. Unfortunately, it won’t be enough to overcome Billy Edwards Jr. and an excellent Terrapin passing offense.
Ben Adams: Maryland 27, Northwestern 17
Although there were several positives to take away from Northwestern’s home loss to Indiana, Jack Lasuch and the offense was too inconsistent and the secondary’s tackling was extremely poor. Pair those deficiencies with a Maryland offense that has scored over 20 points in every game this year behind phenomenal play from Billy Edwards Jr., and it will be extremely difficult for the ‘Cats to pull off the upset in College Park.
Sai Trivedi: Maryland 33, Northwestern 24
For the Wildcats, a victory in this matchup will be decided on the defensive side of the ball. Jack Lausch looked far more comfortable in the pocket against Indiana, and I trust that the offense can find a rhythm, especially against a Maryland defense that’s been vulnerable this season. However, Billy Edwards Jr. and Maryland’s potent offense will pose a daunting task for Northwestern’s defense, especially given the ‘Cats struggles with open field tackles and constant coverage busts in the secondary. Unless the defense improves significantly, it’s tough to envision an upset.
Ethan Weinberg: Maryland 27, Northwestern 20
Last season’s matchup against Maryland ended in a miraculous ‘Cats victory at Ryan Field, but it’s hard for me to see that magic being repeated this time around. Northwestern’s defense got steamrolled last week by a dominant Indiana offense, and while the Terps aren’t as prolific, their offense still packs a significant punch. Billy Edwards Jr. has displayed great confidence as Maryland’s signal caller, and his RPO success and connection with Tai Felton could prove challenging for NU’s defense. Importantly, this game should tell us a lot about Jack Lausch’s ability to play on the road, and whether his poor performance in Seattle was a blip or the start of a worrying trend. While I think the ‘Cats could keep this game close, I think the Terps notch the home victory and put Northwestern’s bowl hopes in further peril.
Wyatt Audler: Maryland 31, Northwestern 24
The bottom line is that both teams are coming off similar losses to Indiana in back to back weeks, but the Terrapins made it a little tougher on Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke, snatching two interceptions during the game. Northwestern brought down none during their bout with the Hoosiers. For a Wildcat team that has struggled with offensive consistency and productive quarterback play, Maryland’s secondary is frightful. Additionally, Maryland holds a week’s more rest over Northwestern. This is a sure blessing for the Terrapins, seeing as three of their starters (wide receivers Tai Felton and Kaden Prather and safety Dante Trader Jr.) left the game against Indiana with injuries. Coach Michael Locksley stated Tuesday that two of the three had practiced, yet refused to give any more information on any of the players’ statuses come gameday. The health of their wide receiver core and strong safety will surely affect the outcome of this matchup. However, assuming at least two will play, and considering Maryland’s strong secondary and home field advantage, I foresee the Terrapins earning their first Big Ten win this season.
Miguel Muñoz: Maryland 30, Northwestern 21
Coming off of a hard-fought effort against No. 23 Indiana at the lakefill, the Wildcats are still in search of their first Big Ten win. Next on the docket is the Terrapins, who are in a similar situation looking for their first conference win of the year despite a trio of dominant non-conference victories. What will likely decide NU’s fate is how much they can limit the Billy Edwards-Tai Felton connection, which has powered the Terps offense all season. The ‘Cats looked improved last Saturday, but a Friday night showdown in College Park will give Maryland enough momentum to down Northwestern.
Season Standings:
5-0: Adam Beck, Natalie Wells, Ethan Weinberg
4-0: Miguel Muñoz
4-1: Brendan Preisman, Ascher Levin
2-1: Harris Horowitz
3-2: Charlie Jacobs
1-0: Weldon Genies