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Michigan State football: 3 things to know about Week 4 opponent Maryland

By Scott Tolonen

Oct 1, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley reacts during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley reacts during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Out with the old and in with the new. While Mel Tucker wasn’t entirely to blame for the Washington loss, being another week removed from the initial distractions should help Michigan State football get into a more orderly game week routine.

It really feels like a make-or-break game for the Spartans as in, win this game and the season can be salvaged to the tune of seven wins.

Lose this game and look unfocused, and the players transferring out will leave the Spartans having to start the Wells Hall Preacher at outside linebacker.

But first, let’s get to know the Spartans’ homecoming game opponent, the Maryland Terrapins.

1. Slow starts

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Maryland Terrapins have had a brutal first half in two of the three games this season. Sure, they cruised past FCS opponent Towson, here’s how their next two first halves played out offensively:

Against Charlotte:

  1. Interception returned for a touchdown first play.
  2. 3 plays, 2 yards – punt
  3. 3 plays, -4 yards – punt
  4. 11 plays, 72 yards – field goal
  5. 10 plays, 51 yards – field goal
  6. 7 plays, 53 yards – field goal

They finally got their act together in the second half, scoring touchdowns on four of their five possessions.

Against Virginia (who is quite possibly the worst Power Five school in America):

  1. 3 plays, 2 yards – punt
  2. 9 plays, 46 yards – missed field goal
  3. 4 plays, 22 yards – punt
  4. 14 plays, 97 yards – touchdown

One touchdown in nine first-half drives makes Michigan State look like Washington. Even when they move the ball, they have a tendency to stall inside the opponent’s 30-yard line.

Michigan State needs to win this game and in order to do that, get out to a quick lead before the Terps realize they have a football game to play. Need a game plan? Just do whatever you did against Northwestern in 2020. Jump out to a 14–17-point lead and then all the defensive mistakes that are bound to happen will not sting as much.

If you don’t believe in the Spartan offense, Caesar’s Sportsbook has set the first half over/under at 26.5 for a pretty good value (-105). Use that information for how you see fit.

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