Well, we’re here again at the end of another week of our season previews [ed- oops, we forgot to publish this during Seaboard Week. Those in charge have been fired.] We know you have read more about Rutgers and Maryland than your significant other ever expected you to.
Anyway, onto the way too early schedule and predictions.
Rutgers Schedule
Aug 28 – Ohio
Sept 6- Miami (OH)
Sept 13 – Norfolk State
Sept 19 – Iowa
Sep 27 – @Minnesota
Oct 10 – @Washington
Oct 18 – Oregon
Oct 25 – @Purdue
Nov 1 – @Illinois
Nov 8 – Maryland
Nov 22 – @Ohio State
Nov 29 – Penn State
Maryland Schedule
Aug 30 – Florida Atlantic
Sept 5 – Northern Illinois
Sept 13 – Towson
Sept 20 – @Wisconsin
Oct 4 – Washington
Oct 11 – Nebraska
Oct 18 – @UCLA
Nov 1 – Indiana
Nov 8 – @Rutgers
Nov 15 – @Illinois
Nov 22 – Michigan
Nov 29 – @ Michigan State
Our Predictions
How about it “writers” room? How’s Rutgers gonna do this year?
RUReady4Brazil: The foundation of the football program is very solid (unlike basketball) so the floor shouldn’t be too low. For the first time in a while, they probably could survive a shorter term QB injury and have some weapons to participate in shootouts or make a comeback periodically. So the offense could be entertaining, but don’t have the horses to just shove back opponents on a down to down basis.
Per all the words I have already written this week, Rutgers doesn’t really have any strengths that can overwhelm any Big Ten teams. The question is just how vulnerable their second and third level run defense is. They won’t have much of a pass rush, so the best case scenario is probably some slugfests where they win a few against roughly evenly match teams and finish 6-6, with no major upset wins.
AlmaOtter: Rutgers is playing Ohio, Miami Hydroxide, and Ohio State? Why not just schedule Oberlin and Case Western while you’re at it? I see a 5-7 slate out of this, maybe pushing to 6-6 with some lucky breaks. Oregon/Ohio State/Penn State is unfortunate, especially with Kyle Thatoneguy moving on from the running back room. It’s still a huge leap forward from the bad old days, but doesn’t really show the progress that Schiano has demonstrated. Solid, not a basement dweller, maybe a bowl game.
Larry31: I’m going with 5-7, whereas, I think Maryland goes 6-6. Do I think Maryland is better than Rutgers? No. Rutgers has a brutal schedule (besides the required cupcake OOC schedule to even have a chance to go bowling). Not hating on the cupcake OOC. Maryland has to do this also. Rutgers has to play 3of the Big 4. Maryland only has to play Michigan, no OR, PSU, or OSU. Rutgers’ best chances for Big Ten wins are @ Washington, @Purdue, and Maryland at home. Can Rutgers sweep these and go bowling at 6-6. Sure. But, teams usually don’t win all the coin-flippish games on their schedule. Maryland @ Rutgers may be a game to decide which team goes bowling. We’ll see.
misdreavus79: Rutgers will be kicking themselves in the ass for not taking advantage of last season’s schedule. The heavy hitters now rotate in, and they play Ohio State and Penn State back to back, to boot. It’s like they never left the Big Ten East! With a non-conference schedule composed of Ohio, Miami Ohio, and Norfolk State, they should (big emphasis on should) be 3-0, so the question is whether they can win three of their non-Oregon, Ohio State, or Penn State games. They barely got past Washington at home a season ago, now they face them on the road. Maybe they’ll give Illinois payback for last season? UCLA? Honestly, I’m having trouble seeing how Rutgers will win four games, let alone six or more.
BoilerUp89: I’ll go 3-9 for Rutgers. Miami and Ohio are two of the better MAC football programs. I don’t think those are guaranteed. I’ll predict they lose one of them and split MD/Purdue.
How about it “writers” room? How’s Maryland gonna do this year?
Larry gave his predictions in this piece.
RUReady4Brazil: Per 247, Maryland played the 2024 season with the 14th most talent in the Big Ten. Obviously the conference expanded, but this was way down from 8th in 2023 and 7th in 2022. I do think the trope that Maryland relies on out-talenting people is slightly overblown, but there is an element of truth to it and I think that’s the biggest reason Maryland struggled in 2024. The Terrapins should bounce back to some extent because unlike many other schools, they have a coaching staff that can always put a functional passing game on the field. With a schedule that is manageable, I think they go 6-6 (I’d say 7-5 but you always have a no show somewhere), far above the Vegas line based on that offense alone even with the question marks on the defensive line. Do you and I want Locksley to stick around or dare them to hire someone better?
HWAHSQB: Maryland got screwed over by the B1G because they got a bye week in September. Conspiracy!!! Call your Congressman and complain Terp fans!! Maryland wins all 4 Aug/Sept games and loses the rest and goes 4-8.
AlmaOtter: Man, Locksley loves playing his alma mater Towson, doesn’t he? I’ll break from tradition and call that Wisconsin wins over September Maryland. I’ve got a 5-7 season from Maryland as well, but one that doesn’t feel like a bounce back for Locks and the Turtles.
misdreavus79: Terrible, if last season was any indication. At least they dodge the top three teams in the preseason odds…
BoilerUp89: I don’t think Maryland will be very good this year but this is a schedule most B1G teams should get bowl eligible against. I’ll predict 5-7.
Poll
2025 Maryland Football Season Prediction
18%
Pessimistic Vegas 4-8 (Note: You’re boring)
(17 votes)
21%
Optimistic Vegas 5-7 (Note: You’re boring)
(19 votes)
27%
Bowl Bound, Baby! 6-6
(25 votes)
6%
I wear Maryland flag undies, I have a Maryland flag sport coat, and I sleep in Maryland flag jammies, 7-5
(6 votes)
2%
I’m eating CBD gummies right now, 8-4
(2 votes)
0%
9-3, Who am I kidding?
(0 votes)
3%
10-2 or better Ha!Ha!Ha!1Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!
(3 votes)
90 votes total
Thanks for all the viewership as always. Next week OTE looks at the site of The Running Man, eight years after the events of the 1987 movie, but the correct year the events took place in the 1982 novel. So go figure.