The University of Maryland Terrapins (3-1, 0-1 Big 10), one of the Big Ten Conference’s top passing offenses, welcome the Michigan State University Spartans (2-2, 0-1 Big 10), one of the conference’s weakest aerial defenses, at SECU Stadium on Saturday. The Terrapins are 8.5-point favorites, and the total is 60. Michigan State is coming off a tough 34-7 loss against Minnesota at Spartan Stadium last Saturday. Payton Thorne threw for 132 yards and two interceptions. Jarek Broussard ran six times for 23 yards. Cade McDonald caught three passes for 31 yards. Maryland lost 34-27 to No. 4 Michigan at Michigan Stadium last Saturday. Taulia Tagovailoa was 20 of 30 for 269 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Roman Hemby carried 16 times for 48 yards. Corey Dyches caught three receptions for 60 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Spartans won the only game between the teams last season, a 40-21 victory in November, their fourth straight win against Maryland. Thorne threw four touchdowns for Michigan State, as Kenneth Walker III added two TDs and Jayden Reed scored twice. Tagovailoa tossed two touchdowns for Maryland, as Chigoziem Okonkwo found the end zone twice.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Spartans are averaging 30.5 points per game so far this season, eighth in the Big 10, and they are facing a Terrapins defense that has surrendered 23.0 PPG (10th). Meanwhile, Maryland has scored 37.0 points a game this season, fifth in the conference, and Michigan State is allowing 21.5 PPG (9th).The Spartans rank as one of the Big 10’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (134.3, 12th), while they are ninth in passing yards (248.5). They can expect a particularly tough test on the ground, as the Terrapins are third in the conference in rushing yards allowed per game (149.5). Against the pass, Maryland is 10th (260.3).Maryland is fourth in the conference in passing yards per game (301.0) and ninth in rushing (173.8). Michigan State’s defense has been most vulnerable through the air, as the Spartans are 11th in the Big 10 in passing yards allowed per game (265.3). Against the run, the Spartans are fifth (127.3).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through four games, Thorne has thrown for seven touchdowns (6 INT) and 225.0 yards per game to lead Michigan State in passing. In one prior away game this season, he had three TDs (1 INT) and 323 yards passing. Jalen Berger leads the team in rushing with an average of 66.8 yards a game over four games. He has four touchdowns on the ground. Keon Coleman is the Spartans’ leading receiver with 65.2 yards a game and three TDs. Tagovailoa has seven passing touchdowns (4 INT) with 275.5 yards per game through four games to lead Maryland. In two home games this season, he has thrown for two TDs (1 INT) and an average of 252.0 yards. Hemby has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 85.5 yards a game through four games. He has three touchdowns. Rakim Jarrett has been the primary target in the Terrapins’ passing game. He has one touchdown and a 52.0 yard per game average through four appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Maryland (-300)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
