Michigan State football holds key advantage at Maryland in Week 10

Michigan State football will travel to College Park on Saturday for a date with the Maryland Terrapins. The Spartans hold a key advantage.

Maryland opened the season putting the nation on high alert as it traveled to Austin, and knocked off the Texas Longhorns 34-29 to open the 2018 campaign. The Terps have been 4-3 since the season opener, and now stand one win away from achieving bowl-eligibility. Through the first two months of the 2018 season, we have seen a trend in the Maryland offense that may just give Michigan State the keys to victory to kick off November.

A tale of two contrasting offenses will be on full display, but both with a common goal: to run the football. Obviously to Spartan fans everywhere, this story has been told time and time again, but this story is told by the Terrapins as well.

Maryland’s greatest offensive strength this season has been the ability to run the football, and the key to the Terrapins’ success is running down their opponents’ throats. However, Maryland’s greatest strength might just lead to their downfall this weekend, as the Spartans’ top-ranked run defense is coming to town.

By the numbers

The Terps come into the game ranked ninth in the nation in rushing yards, and 11th in rushing yards per game, led by the running back trio of Anthony McFarland Jr., Ty Johnson and Tayon Fleet-Davis.

Furthermore, Maryland has statistically shown that running the ball successfully leads to victory. In their five wins this season, Maryland has averaged 324.6 rushing yards per game, dominating opposing defenses. In their three losses, Maryland scrambled to just an average of 115.7 yards on the ground, showing why running the ball successfully is crucial to the Terps.

Success through the air isn’t very common for Maryland dual-threat quarterback Kasim Hill as well, with the team averaging just over 131 yards per game, and only 61 per game in their three losses and pay dirt through the air has been rare. Expect a heavy dose of ground and pound from Maryland on Saturday.

Key advantage

The Spartans come into the game knowing if they stop the rushing attack it will lead to stopping the passing attack of Maryland, crippling the Terps’ offense. That’s where the Spartans hold a key advantage in this game, with the nation’s leading run defense, only allowing just over 77 yards per game, and a true knack for stopping the run, it could be a long day for the Terrapin offense.

If the Spartans’ run defense shows up as usual, this Saturday looks very favorable for the boys in green and white.