Rutgers-Maryland picks, predictions: Can Scarlet Knights keep up winning ways

Rutgers will look to break an ugly trend in College Park.
The Scarlet Knights (5-4, 2-4) will face Maryland (4-5, 1-5) on Saturday at SECU Stadium, a venue that has not been kind to head coach Greg Schiano’s program since it joined the Big Ten.
Rutgers won there in 2020, when there were no fans in the stands, and in 2014 with an epic 25-point comeback. Both wins came by 3 points.
In their three losses, the Scarlet Knights have been outscored by an average of 27 points.
Can Rutgers reverse the curse against the Terrapins and build on the momentum of a monumental win over Minnesota?
The cast of the Rutgers Rant is back to give its best guess.
Here’s the leaderboard through nine games (mobile users, click here to see the graphic):
Here’s what the NJ Advance Media crew thinks about this Saturday’s matchup (Maryland -5.5):
Steve Politi, columnist
News flash: Maryland isn’t very good. The Terrapins have the nation’s 97th-ranked scoring defense, sport a 1-5 Big Ten record and have already lost to Northwestern by 27 points. Yes, once again, Mike Locksley’s team has talented playmakers and a quarterback who can sling the ball. But unlike in previous seasons, Rutgers also has an offense that can throw it around a little, and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is coming off his best performance. I think he’ll keep the momentum going in College Park as the Scarlet Knights punch their bowl tickets.
Prediction: Rutgers 35, Maryland 31.
Pat Lanni, beat reporter
The quarterback leading the operation may be different for Maryland, but quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. has done a good job replacing Taulia Tagovailoa and keeping coach Mike Locksley’s system operating at a high level. In fact, Maryland is still averaging 280 passing yards per game, good for third in the Big Ten, thanks to Edwards and a “professional” wide receivers room as Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said this week. While Rutgers’ defense showed it could bounce back last week, this Maryland offense looks a lot more like UCLA and Southern Cal than Minnesota. That’s why this will be a bad matchup for the Scarlet Knights. As for the recent history, that only adds to the storyline: Maryland has won three in a row and five of the last six in what’s supposed to be a rivalry game.
Prediction: Maryland 30, Rutgers 21
Brian Fonseca, beat reporter
Against Minnesota, Rutgers played the level of defense everyone expected entering the season. But it might be difficult for the Scarlet Knights to repeat it against the Terrapins’ pass-heavy attack (43 passes per game), especially with elite receiver Tai Felton out wide. In order to win, Rutgers will more than likely have to keep up offensively. While quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and company have improved steadily throughout the fall, the Scarlet Knights may not have enough firepower to win a shootout.
Prediction: Maryland 31, Rutgers 24.
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Brian Fonseca may be reached at [email protected].
Patrick Lanni may be reached at [email protected].
Steve Politi may be reached at [email protected].