IU football will look to keep on rolling on the road this weekend.
The No. 2-ranked Hoosiers (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) take on Maryland (4-3, 1-3) at SECU Stadium in College Park, Md. on Saturday. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. and is airing on CBS.
Curt Cignetti’s team defeated the Terrapins last season in Bloomington, but this is his first trip to the east coast with IU. Running back Roman Hemby will return to the stadium he called home for his first four collegiate seasons, and several other Indiana players from the DMV area will play in front of local family and friends.
Here are three key matchups for Saturday’s game.
Note: All grades referenced are from Pro Football Focus.
Maryland offensive line vs. Indiana defensive front
Maryland’s offensive line grades present an interesting matchup for the Hoosiers.
The Terps have excelled in pass protection this season, with the fifth-highest grade in the country (82.2). But their run blocking has been brutal, with the second-worst grade in the nation (47.8). IU’s defensive front has been dominant all season, and that’s reflected through the team’s grades in run defense (92.5, 13th in the country) and pass rush (85.5, tied for sixth in the country).
So Indiana holds a heavy advantage in run defense against Maryland’s ground attack. The Terps have the worst rushing game in the Big Ten and the seventh-worst in FBS, with only 101.3 yards per game. IU needs to take care of business in that phase as expected, which will help prevent Maryland from controlling clock to keep the game close.
Pass rush will be tougher, in more of a strength-on-strength matchup. Three of Maryland’s five offensive linemen grade out strongly in pass protection among their positions: tackle Alan Herron (83.5, 11th in the country), guard Aliou Bah (83.1, 24th in the country), and center Michael Hershey (85.0, 10th in the country).
Indiana’s defensive line has been tested this season against other strong pass blocking teams — Oregon has the nation’s top pass blocking grade, and Iowa is No. 3. The Hoosiers had trouble in pass rush against Iowa, finishing with a season-low-tying one sack and a season-low pass rush grade at 64.5. They fared better against Oregon, though, with six sacks, constant pressure, and their third-highest pass rush grade of the season (76.0).
Maryland hasn’t seen a pass rush like IU’s this season, and the Hoosiers need to expose that. Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines has done well with his blitz schemes this season, and guys like Tyrique Tucker, Stephen Daley, and Mario Landino have provided consistent production. That trio needs to keep it up Saturday — and this would be a great time for Mikail Kamara to post his first big game of the season.
IU football: Curt Cignetti issues challenge to Mikail Kamara
Indiana wide receivers vs. Maryland secondary
Maryland, as a team, has graded out pretty well in coverage this season (90.1, 23rd in the country). The Terps’ No. 1 cornerback, Dontay Joyner, has a solid coverage grade of 77.4. Safety Jalen Huskey has been excellent this year, with the sixth-highest overall grade among safeties (89.2) and the fourth-highest coverage grade (89.3).
UMD hasn’t faced an opponent with the caliber of players as IU has at a lot of positions. But wide receiver is one of the areas the Terps have actually gone up against a comparable opponent at, in Washington’s Denzel Boston. The Huskies’ star recorded six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown against Maryland in early October.
Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. should pose similar challenges for the Terps. Both are coming off surprisingly quiet games against UCLA, with a combined eight receiving yards on four receptions. But IU’s standout receivers are both capable of taking over games, and they’re good picks to bounce back this week. Even though Maryland has experienced another top-level receiver this season, Mike Locksley’s team hasn’t seen an opposing offense as dominant as Indiana’s entire unit. The additional threats from Indiana’s running game, and its other receiving options, could open things up for Sarratt and Cooper.
Indiana linebackers vs. Malik Washington
Maryland’s true freshman quarterback has shown solid potential this season.
He ranks sixth in the Big Ten with 245.1 passing yards per game, with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. His 59.7 completion percentage is a clear spot for improvement, however. Washington has also made plays on the ground, with 24 rushing attempts for 98 yards and a team-high three rushing touchdowns. Locksley and his staff have to be pleased with Washington’s overall performance thus far.
But he hasn’t seen a defense like the one he’ll face on Saturday. Haines’ defense has the second-highest overall grade in the country (94.1). The Hoosiers will try to confuse him with different wrinkles and looks, paired with a talent level stronger than Maryland’s other opponents to date.
IU’s linebackers could be the key to defending Washington, specifically, because of his running ability. On Monday, Cignetti described Aiden Fisher as probable for Saturday’s game, after he left the UCLA game early with an injury. The All-American’s presence would be a big boost for the Indiana defense. But additionally, Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones will play important roles in this matchup. Jones will be a factor in the aforementioned pass rush, but also as a playmaker from end to end — he’ll be someone to watch for when Washington takes off running. Hardy is a threat on the other side, and could be used as a spy in some situations.
If the Hoosiers can force Washington into some freshman mistakes, it will bode very well for their chances at a 9-0 start.
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