Iowa vs Maryland Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Nov 20, 2024 5:37 PM ET

Didn’t you used to be Maryland?

It’s a fun team with a lot of passing and fireworks, but the team can’t win dropping five of its last six games.

At 4-6 it needs to win this and then win at Penn State to go bowling, so it’s almost certainly not getting that extra game. Finishing strong is a must with the lone Big Ten win a crazy 29-28 thriller over USC.

Iowa has been strange, at least for Iowa.

The offense actually works, but there was an off-brand loss to Michigan State and a hard loss to UCLA two weeks ago to sit on. Yeah, it’s bowl eligible, and yeah, it’s a win next week over Nebraska way from likely still being in the mix for a nine-win season, but if this is working … beat Maryland.

Iowa vs Maryland: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
How To Watch: Big Ten Network
Venue: SECU Stadium, College Park, MD
Teams: Maryland (4-6), Iowa (6-4)
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Why Iowa Will Win

This isn’t the Iowa defense of previous seasons, but it’s still strong enough to hold up. It’s the offensive side that has to get rolling, especially on the ground.

The Maryland pass defense is the biggest problem, but when teams try to run it on this bunch they’re able to do it. The Terps are 3-1 when giving up fewer than 3.6 yards per carry, and Iowa averages 5.5 yards per pop.

The UCLA game two weeks ago was the only time the Hawkeyes averaged fewer than 4.3 yards per pop. That’s not happening again after the time off, but …

Why Maryland Will Win

Iowa starting quarterback Brendan Sullivan is hurt and possibly out for the year. Cade McNamara isn’t bad as the returning starter, but he doesn’t push the ball down the field like Sullivan did. He’ll can move the chains, but he’s not going to stretch the field.

The Hawkeye secondary will be pushed. Maryland’s Billy Edwards will keep on firing, but he has to be accurate. The Terps are 4-1 when he’s hitting 65% or more of his passes, Iowa is 1-4 against passers who hit 62% or more of their throws - and 5-0 when holding teams under that, and …

Iowa vs Maryland: Who Will Win?

Can Maryland bomb its way to a win?

The pass defense is the worst in the Big Ten, there’s no pass rush, and there’s no running game. Iowa will give up yards, but it’ll be in control early on as it turns the game over to Kaleb Johnson and the Iowa offensive line to pound away.

Maryland will have its moments, but it won’t slow down the rested Hawkeyes in the second half.