Game Eleven Preview: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Maryland Terrapins

Who, When, Where: Indiana travels to College Park to take on the Maryland Terrapins. Kickoff is high noon on BTN, with Cory Provus and Glen Mason in the booth, assisted by J Leman on the sideline. Indiana leads the "series" between the schools 2-1, and won the last game at Maryland 13-6 in 1935. Maryland's only victory in football against the Hoosiers was last year's game.

Numbers of Note: 238, Jordan Howard's rushing yards against Michigan, the second most given up in Wolverine history. 1199, Howard's season rushing total, which currently places him 12th on IU's single season rushing leaderboard. 2, the number of Special Teams Player of the Week Awards Griffin Oakes has won in his career, with the second being this past week against Michigan after going 4-for-4 on field goals, including a 51 yarder. 1990, the last time Indiana had a punt returned with two touchdowns in the same season before Mitchell Paige took his second of the year back against the Wolverines. His first came earlier in the season against Western Kentucky.

Maryland Notes, courtesy of OTE's own DJ Carver: I'm not sure why Maryland is favored in this game, but hey I'll take it. Maryland is a frustrating team this year because of lack of execution.  They've been in a lot more games than their record indicates but turnovers and horrific QB play have ruined them.  Look for Maryland to try to establish the run through zone reads and qb keepers in order to open up the pass game a bit.  Perry Hills has no arm so he won't go deep often and if he does, well he's also not accurate.  Contain Hills and force him to beat you in the air and you win the game.

Notable Maryland Alums and Fun Testudo Facts: Can be found in last year's article.

Prediction: Maryland has not looked particularly strong at any point in this season. Which, knowing our luck, means this will probably be Maryland's actual best performance in 2015. Even if the Terps don't have their best performance of the year, Indiana's defense needs to show up for 60 full minutes just to prove that they can, and also to keep Maryland off the scoreboard enough to win. The fact that Maryland was favored in this game had better provide enough motivation for the Hoosiers, or else it looks like yet another bowl season will pass without Indiana's participation. I think Indiana is finally going to put it together, at least enough to hold off Maryland, and keep the bowl dream alive one more week. Hoosiers get out with the 42-31 win.

Next Week: #BucketWeek, with a bowl berth potentially at stake for IU in addition to their first 3 game Bucket streak since 1944-47.