Free College Football Picks Today: Maryland Terrapins vs Northwestern Wildcats 10/22/22

Two of the Big Ten Conference’s top passing offenses are set to meet at SECU Stadium on Saturday, as the Northwestern University Wildcats (1-5, 1-2 Big 10) are on the road to take on the University of Maryland Terrapins (5-2, 2-2 Big 10). The Terrapins are 13.5-point favorites, and the total is 51.

Northwestern is coming off a tough 42-7 loss against Wisconsin at Ryan Field on October 8, their fifth straight defeat. Ryan Hilinski threw for 147 yards and two interceptions. Brendan Sullivan ran 10 times for 33 yards. Bryce Kirtz caught two passes for 66 yards.

Maryland beat Indiana 38-33 at Memorial Stadium last Saturday. Taulia Tagovailoa was 25 of 39 for 270 yards and two touchdowns. Roman Hemby carried 17 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Copeland had four receptions for 62 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since October 2020, a 43-3 win for the Wildcats. Peyton Ramsey threw one touchdown for Northwestern.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Wildcats are averaging 17.7 points per game for the season, 123rd in FBS, and they are facing a Terrapins defense that has surrendered 24.1 PPG (51st). Meanwhile, Maryland has scored 34.6 points a game this season, 36th in the nation, and Northwestern is allowing 27.7 PPG (73rd).

The Wildcats rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (112.3, 111th), while they are 30th in passing yards (282.0). The Terrapins are 115th in passing yards allowed per game (276.7) and 22nd against the run (106.7).Maryland is 22nd in the country in passing yards per game (299.7) and 62nd in rushing (159.1), while the Wildcats are allowing 230.0 passing yards (69th) and 176.0 rushing yards per game (103rd).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through six games, Ryan Hilinski has thrown for six touchdowns (6 INT) and 262.7 yards per game to lead Northwestern in passing. In one previous away game this season, he had one TD (1 INT) and 210 yards passing. Evan Hull leads the team in rushing with an average of 71.3 yards a game over six games. He’s also been integral to the passing attack, leading the team in total receiving yards (67.5 yards a game). He has three touchdowns on the ground.

Taulia Tagovailoa has 13 passing touchdowns (5 INT) with 285.9 yards per game through seven games to lead Maryland. In four home games this season, he has thrown for six TDs (2 INT) and an average of 283.2 yards. Roman Hemby has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 71.7 yards a game through seven games. He also has been valuable as a receiver, racking up 32.1 yards a game through the air.

He has five total touchdowns, four rushing and one receiving. Corey Dyches has been a key target in the Terrapins’ passing game. He has three touchdowns and a 49.4 yard per game average through seven appearances.