Preview: Michigan State at Maryland
Gracenote
Oct 31, 2018
Maryland hosts Michigan State on Saturday in a Big Ten Conference game, capping a week of turmoil for the Terrapins after coach DJ Durkin was reinstated Tuesday and fired Wednesday. Durkin was suspended following the death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair during a summer practice because of heatstroke but his return was met by protests ranging from players to Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.
The Spartans come into the contest feeling pretty good after freshman Rocky Lombardi took over for injured starter Brian Lewerke at quarterback and threw for 318 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Purdue. The Michigan State defense continues to be difficult to run against, ranking No. 1 in the country in allowing 77.4 yards per game after holding the Boilermakers to a season-low 62 yards. Maryland comes off a rousing 63-33 victory over Illinois that included 712 yards of total offense led by running back Javon Leake, who tallied four touchdowns (three rushing, one kickoff return). The Terrapins have 14 interceptions, tied for the most in the country, and have at least one in every game this season, which could make things difficult for Lombardi in his second collegiate start.
TV: Noon ET, ESPN2. LINE: Michigan State -2.5
ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten): The Spartans have been dealing with a number of injuries to the receiving corps, but things may be getting better at just the right time. Sophomore Cody White (20 catches, 300 yards) has been out for more than a month with a broken hand but there's optimism he could be back against Maryland, and he'll join a number of players coming off big games against Purdue. Freshman Jalen Nailor led the club with 94 yards from scrimmage (70 receiving) and receivers Brandon Sowards (six catches) and Cam Chambers (five) and tight end Matt Dotson (four) all tied or set career highs in catches against the Boilermakers.
ABOUT MARYLAND (5-3, 3-2): Lost in the Durkin story is the bounce-back of the Maryland offense, which had been shut out by Iowa two weeks ago before erupting for the program's most points against an FBS team since 1954, under interim coach Matt Canada. Freshman quarterback Kasim Hill threw for a season-best 265 yards and tied his season high with three touchdowns despite leaving the game late in the third quarter with a 30-point lead. Hill will need to be at his best against the Spartans, who are known for their run defense but also had three interceptions in snapping Purdue's four-game winning streak.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Michigan State CB Justin Layne played offense and defense against Purdue, catching his first career pass and registering a career-high four passes defended to go with seven tackles.
2. Leake became the first player in Big Ten history to win the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week in the same week after recording 274 all-purpose yards against the Illini.
3. In the four matchups since Maryland joined the Big Ten, the winning margin between the Terrapins and Spartans has been at least 10 points each time.
PREDICTION: Michigan State 28, Maryland 24