The No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers (6-0, 3-0) are getting set to host the Maryland Terrapins (3-3, 1-2) this weekend for their Homecoming game, which is scheduled to kick off at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.
But it's been a minute since the Badgers last played the Terps, so to get the inside scoop on Maryland and second-year head coach D.J. Durkin we asked Pat Donohue of Terrapin Sports Report a few questions about the Terps - and his answers are included below.
I think Maryland turned a lot of heads with their win over Texas in the first week of the season, but they’ve gone 1-3 against FBS teams since that game. Can you give us some insight on what was working in that game against the Longhorns that hasn’t been recently?
Pat Donohue: Well, losing two starting quarterbacks in the first three games of the season certainly didn't help Maryland at all. The Terps offense really started to look like it was clicking with true freshman signal caller Kasim Hill at the helm, but has struggled since Hill tore his ACL against UCF. Maryland's backfield has talent and the running game started off the season hot, but with the Terps being down to their third quarterback already, teams have started to load boxes and negate one of Maryland's biggest strengths. On defense, losing the team's best rusher, Jesse Aniebonam, in the Texas game really hurt the Terps. An already thin front seven took a big hit with the loss of Aniebonam, and as a result, a Maryland secondary that has a decent amount of talent has been hung out to dry more often than not. Against Texas, Maryland's offensive and defensive lines dominated. That has rarely been the case since.
The Terps are down to their third quarterback of the season after a string of injuries - what does Max Bortenschlager bring to the table for Maryland’s offense, and how would you assess his play since he took over the starting job?
Pat Donohue: Bortenschlager brings a strong arm, pocket presence and poise that is well beyond his years. The sophomore doesn't have the athleticism that his predecessors Tyrrell Pigrome and Kasim Hill have, but he might be the best pure passer on Maryland's roster. Bortenschlager makes several impressive throws each game and also does a good job of protecting the football. In fact, he has yet to throw an interception in any game he has started in his career. He did throw two picks against UCF, but he was forced into that game off the bench because of Hill's injury and hadn't had any time to work with the first-team offense that week. I would say, given the circumstances, Bortenschlager's play since taking over the starting job has been good. The problem has been that his blocking hasn't always been good. The Terps need to protect their quarterback and get the running game re-established to help him out.
What offensive weapons do the Terps have to work with, other than wide receiver D.J. Moore? Are there any other players you’d call ‘X-factors’ for the team’s success?
Pat Donohue: D.J. Moore really is THE X-factor for the Terps. He has been incredible. But junior running back Ty Johnson is a playmaker in his own right. Johnson was a 1,000-yard rusher last season who averaged 9.1 yards per carry. This year he started off on a pace that would surpass both those marks, but has slowed down in recent weeks due to game flow and defenses game planning around him. Moore and Johnson have really been Maryland's one-two punch this year, and that predictability has been part of the offense's problem, but players like senior wide receiver Taivon Jacobs and sophomore running back Lorenzo Harrison can also spring big plays at any given moment.
What kind of defensive scheme are the Terps running now under D.J. Durkin, and who are the key players to watch on that side of the ball?
Pat Donohue: Maryland runs a multiple defense that switches up its look a lot but typically features at least five defensive backs and two linebackers. The key position in Durkin's defense is the NICKEL, which serves as a hybrid safety-linebacker like Jabrill Peppers from Durkin's days at Michigan. That role is played by sophomore Antoine Brooks, who is the Terps defensive player to watch. He led Maryland in tackles last week and is involved in just about every play with the way he flies all over the field. Terps players and coaches gushed over Brooks all offseason, and he hasn't disappointed so far. You never really know where No. 25 is going to lineup, but Brooks has made big plays and scored on defense and special teams this year and is one of the biggest playmakers the Terps have. Other notable defensive players include senior linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr., who is a former All-Big Ten player, junior cornerback JC Jackson, and junior safety Darnell Savage Jr.
Finally, what are you expecting to see this weekend? Who wins the game and why?
Pat Donohue: Maryland really needs to right the ship after back-to-back blowout losses, but doing so against the Badgers in Madison is about as tall of a task as the Terps could ask for. One of Maryland's biggest weaknesses this season, and even dating back to last season, is stopping the run. We all know about Wisconsin's affinity for pounding the rock. I don't see much of a need for the Badgers to try and test the talent in Maryland's secondary in this one, especially when Wisconsin is averaging 263.8 yards per game on the ground so far this season. The Badgers defense is also filled with talent that should be able to handle the few explosive players Maryland has on offense. Not saying Maryland's going to lay down, but I believe they're outmatched here. Wisconsin 45-20.
___________________________________________________
John Veldhuis covers Wisconsin football, basketball and recruiting for BadgerBlitz.com on the Rivals.com network. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnVeldhuis.
