Top Storylines Entering the Season
- A Make-or-Break Year for Mike Locksley After sputtering to a 4–8 finish in 2024, Maryland’s head coach enters his seventh season with the pressure mounting. With no Penn State, Oregon, or Ohio State on the schedule and key additions via the transfer portal, the groundwork for a turnaround is laid—but execution is everything. This season could very well define the next half-decade of Terps football.
- Quarterback Competition Takes Center Stage The arrival of freshman Malik Washington, a four-star recruit and local standout, has fans buzzing. He dazzled in spring, but is currently sidelined with a minor lower-body issue, giving UCLA transfer Justyn Martin and redshirt freshman Khristian Martin valuable reps as camp progresses. A starter will be named just before the opener.
- Rebuilding on Both Sides of the Ball Athlon notes only three offensive starters return, and the defense is similarly thin—just two starters up front, several star losses, and key contributors like LB Kellan Wyatt and Caleb Wheatland transferring out. Still, NFL-experienced DC Ted Monachino and new portal pickups provide some hope.
- Favorable Schedule but Few Favorites Maryland avoids the typical Big Ten onslaught—no games against PSUs or Buckeyes—and instead faces a relatively easier path. While this doesn’t guarantee wins, it offers opportunity.
Key Players to Watch
- Malik Washington (QB, Fr.) – A top-5 quarterback recruit nationally whose spring performance ignited excitement; a potential game-changer if he stays healthy.
- Justyn Martin (QB, Jr., UCLA transfer) – The safe, experienced choice in a muddled QB room. Known for his unconventional mechanics and dual-threat ability.
- Jalil Farooq (WR, Sr., via transfer from Oklahoma) – A solid, polished target who adds much-needed depth to a porous passing game.
- Jalen Huskey (S, Sr.) & Daniel Wingate (LB, Jr.) – Veteran defenders expected to anchor Maryland’s rebuilt front seven.
Game Focus: Key Showdowns
1. Season Opener vs Florida Atlantic (Aug 30)
Without a clear starting QB yet, this opener looms large. A win provides momentum and confidence. A stumble here—especially at SECU Stadium—would raise early questions about leadership and readiness.
2. Home vs Washington / Nebraska / Indiana (Midseason Stretch)
I know it’s cheating to pick 3 games in 1. However, this stretch defines Maryland’s season and near-term future. Washington and Nebraska provide tough tests, but Indiana at home on Homecoming shapes up as a more balanced matchup—and a possible statement win in Big Ten play.
3. Home vs Michigan State (Nov 29)
A winnable contest with a bowl berth and Locksley’s job both potentially on the line. Michigan State is a rebuilding program, and the type of team Maryland should be able to beat at home. A loss would likely end any postseason hopes and leave everyone with a bad taste leading into an uncertain offseason.
Season Outlook & Final Prediction
What pundits say:
- RJ Young ranks Maryland 76th nationally and sets the over/under win total at 4.5 games—indicating low external expectations.
- Athlon Sports places them 17th in the Big Ten, ahead only of Purdue—suggesting no bowl appearance.
- ELO projections settle on a 4–8 record (3–0 non-conference, 1–8 Big Ten), with predicted victories over FAU, Northern Illinois, Towson, and a late-season upset over Michigan State in Detroit.
EasySportz’ prediction:
- Final Record: 5–7 (2–7 in Big Ten)
- Projected Wins:
- Florida Atlantic (Opener) – Close win to get things rolling
- Northern Illinois & Towson – Expected early non-conference wins
- Indiana (Homecoming) – A gutsy upset conference win in front of the home crowd
- Rutgers (Road Finale)
- Likely Losses:
- Washington & Nebraska – Tougher midseason cups
- Wisconsin, UCLA, Michigan State, Illinois – Competitive games but tilt against Maryland’s youth and depth
- Michigan – A tough closing home game showdown
Maryland football enters 2025 at a crossroads—with intriguing QB options, coaching reinforcements, and a schedule that’s kinder than in recent years. But inexperience under center and a defense in transition temper expectations. I lean toward a modest bounce-back season, avoiding the floor of past seasons but still falling short of bowl territory. Locksley is fired and Maryland starts over.
Want more Big 10 coverage? Here is a preview of the Big 10 season based on Vegas’ projected win totals. More Big 10 previews: Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois, Northwestern, Iowa, UCLA, USC and Wisconsin.
