Free College Football Picks Today: Indiana Hoosiers vs Maryland Terrapins 10/15/22

The University of Maryland Terrapins (4-2, 1-2 Big 10) and their explosive passing offense head to face the Indiana University Hoosiers (3-3, 1-2 Big 10), one of the country’s softest aerial defenses, at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Terrapins are 11.5-point favorites, and the total is 61.5. Maryland is coming off a narrow 31-29 loss to Purdue at SECU Stadium last Saturday. Taulia Tagovailoa was 26 of 38 for 315 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Antwain Littleton II ran six times for 30 yards. Corey Dyches caught four passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Indiana dropped a third straight game last Saturday, falling 31-10 to No. 4 Michigan at Memorial Stadium. Connor Bazelak threw for 203 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Jaylin Lucas carried four times for 45 yards. Emery Simmons hauled in seven receptions for 57 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Terrapins won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 38-35 victory in October. Taulia Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns for Maryland, as Challen Faamatau added two TDs and Carlos Carriere scored twice. Donaven McCulley tossed two touchdowns for Indiana, as Stephen Carr added two TDs and Peyton Hendershot found the end zone twice.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Terrapins are averaging 34.0 points per game for the season, fifth in the Big 10, and they are facing a Hoosiers defense that has surrendered 30.5 PPG (14th). Meanwhile, Indiana has scored 24.3 points a game this season, 11th in the conference, and Maryland is allowing 22.7 PPG (10th). The Terrapins rank as one of the country’s top teams in passing yards per game (304.7, 19th), while they are 65th in rushing yards (157.0). Look for them to take advantage through the air, as the Hoosiers are 118th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (282.2). Against the run, Indiana is 73rd (146.3). Indiana has been one of the country’s least successful rushing teams, averaging 90.8 yards per game (124th), while ranking 40th in passing yards (266.2). The Terrapins are allowing 270.3 passing yards (111th) and 118.5 rushing yards per game (36th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through six games, Taulia Tagovailoa has thrown for 11 touchdowns (5 INT) and 288.5 yards per game to lead Maryland in passing. In two away games this season, he has five TDs (3 INT) and an average of 299.0 yards passing. Roman Hemby leads the team in rushing with an average of 65.8 yards a game over six games. He’s also contributed to the passing attack with 33.3 receiving yards a game. He has three touchdowns on the ground. Corey Dyches is the Terrapins’ leading receiver with 53.7 yards a game and three TDs. Connor Bazelak has nine passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 266.2 yards per game through six games to lead Indiana. In four home games this season, he has thrown for six TDs (3 INT) and an average of 273.5 yards. Shaun Shivers has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 61.7 yards a game through six games. He has five total touchdowns, four rushing and one receiving. Cam Camper has been the primary target in the Hoosiers’ aerial attack. He has one touchdown and a 91.4 yard per game average through five appearances.