The Iowa Hawkeyes are ascending toward the top in the Big Ten and the Maryland Terrapins are looking to take down a top 20 team on the road this week. Here’s what you need to know about Iowa vs. Maryland.
No. 19 Iowa is doing well for itself this year. The Hawkeyes are in the midst of the hunt for the Big Ten West division title and can conceivably win 10 (maybe 11) games by the time this season is wrapped up. This team just needs to continue playing its brand of disciplined, relatively mistake-free football, and the Hawkeyes might just make it into the Big Ten title game if things shake out in their favor.
Maryland, on the other hand, has found itself with a 4-2 record and is looking to prove itself in the loaded and top-heavy Big Ten East. The Terrapins started the year off with a win over Texas (who has ascended into the top 10), but they didn’t do themselves any favors in conference play when they lost by 21 points to Michigan. That game was on the road for the Terps and now they’re heading on the road for another conference game, this time against Iowa.
In their last two games, the Hawkeyes have torched their opponents, both on the road. Iowa scored 48 points against Minnesota and then 42 points against Indiana and it truly seems like quarterback Nathan Stanley is coming into his own. Halfway into the season, Stanley has thrown for 1,473 yards and 15 touchdowns against just five interceptions while completing 62.1 percent of his passes.
Meanwhile, Maryland will attempt to run the ball and play solid defense against the Hawkeyes. The Terps don’t have an outstanding offense and their quarterback situation is a mess, but the trio of Ty Johnson, Tayon Fleet-Davis, and Anthony McFarland has run for 1,065 yards and eight touchdowns. Unfortunately for Maryland, it looks like Johnson may be injured this weekend.
How to bet and watch Iowa vs. Maryland
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 20
- Start Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Location: Iowa City, Iowa
- Stadium: Kinnick Stadium
- TV Info: ESPN2
- Odds: Iowa -10
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
Prediction: The Hawkeyes have some consistent momentum going for them right now. They’re a better than expected team this year and should be able to cruise to double-digit wins this season. One of those wins should come against the Maryland Terrapins this weekend. Maryland will need to find some answers on offense and I don’t believe they can do it. Take the Hawkeyes to win here, but the Terps should be able to keep it close until the end.