Maryland Terrapins vs. Oregon Ducks Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 9th 2024

Preview and Prediction

The top spot in the College Football Playoff rankings has been claimed by Oregon for the first time in history. This is a significant achievement for the team, as their previous highest ranking was No. 2 in 2014, when they were one of four teams in the inaugural CFP.

However, the Ducks (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) still have a long way to go before securing a spot in the playoffs. Their final stretch of the regular season begins this Saturday with a conference matchup against Maryland in Eugene, Ore. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

Oregon has already defeated two teams in the CFP rankings, including No. 2 Ohio State and No. 12 Boise State. They have also claimed victories over Illinois, who was ranked in the Top 25 at the time, and a dominant 38-17 win against Michigan last weekend in Ann Arbor.

Unfortunately, the Ducks suffered some injuries in their game against Michigan, including top wide receiver Tez Johnson who was seen with his arm in a sling. However, there are indications that Johnson will return at some point this season, along with starting offensive lineman Marcus Harper II who left the field with a left knee injury.

Despite these setbacks, the Ducks have a strong team with depth and potential replacements for the injured players. Head coach Lanning expressed confidence in their plan and the ability of other players to step up and contribute to the team's success.

The absence of Johnson did not seem to affect the Ducks too much in their game against Michigan, as Traeshon Holden stepped up and finished with an impressive 149 receiving yards. This highlights the team's overall strength and depth this season.

Oregon has been a well-rounded team, with a solid defense, a productive running game, and the accurate passing of quarterback Dillon Gabriel. They also have the potential for big plays on special teams, although the absence of Johnson could impact this aspect of their game.

On the other hand, Maryland (4-4, 1-4) has struggled in their recent games, losing three out of their last four. This will also be their first game in the Pacific time zone since the 2014 Foster Farms Bowl in the San Francisco Bay Area.

One of Maryland's key players to watch is wide receiver Tai Felton, who leads the Big Ten with 73 receptions and 907 receiving yards. With just 93 more yards, he could become only the fourth player in Maryland's history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.

Maryland's passing attack will pose a challenge for Oregon's secondary, as they currently rank first in the Big Ten in passing yards per game with an average of 314.5. However, their defense has struggled in their recent losses, allowing an average of 42.3 points per game against Indiana, Northwestern, and Minnesota.

Despite their recent struggles, Maryland head coach Michael Locksley remains confident in his team and believes they will show up and compete against Oregon.

PREDICTION

Maryland Terrapins

Oregon Ducks