Free NCAA Football Prediction: Wildcats vs. Terrapins Odds
Looking for Northwestern Wildcats vs. Maryland Terrapins free picks? College football betting sees the Wildcats taking on the Terrapins on Saturday, October 22nd at Navy Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 8 predictions like this NW-MD free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 8
(1-5) Northwestern Wildcats vs. Maryland Terrapins (5-2)
Date: Saturday, October 22nd, 2022
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: SECU Stadium, Annapolis, MD
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: NW -14 | MD +14 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Wildcats -150 | Terps +125
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 51.5
The Northwestern Wildcats will head to Annapolis and take on the Maryland Terrapins for their homecoming game this Saturday on the Big Ten Network. Maryland will open as the two-touchdown favorites here, with the total opening at 51.5.
Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern opened the season with an upset victory over Nebraska in Ireland, but they’ve come up just a bit short in each game since. Non-conference home losses to Duke, Southern Illinois, and Miami (OH) marred a beauty start in Europe, and they were blasted by a conference power last weekend.
In Week 7, Northwestern lost to Wisconsin, 49-7, covering for the first time in four weeks.
Northwestern scores 17.7 points per game, while allowing 27.6 ppg.
Ryan Hilinski had a tough time last weekend, as the messy conditions led to sloppy play. The junior quarterback only completed 40% of his passes, and a pair of turnovers led to 14 Penn State points, which ultimately decided that one. He’ll have a chance to sting Wisconsin with a strong performance at home.
Hilinski has thrown for 1,576 passing yards with six touchdowns to six interceptions.
Evan Hull has been dynamic through the first three games, and look for Pat Fitzgerald to turn him lose here. The junior running back has been quiet over the past three weeks, but he’s stuffed the stat sheet thus far. Through five games, Hull has 428 rushing yards, 36 catches, 405 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns (3 rush, 1 rec)
Malik Washington leads the wideout core with 34 receptions for 376 receiving yards.
Maryland Terrapins
Maryland has been pretty good this season to say the least. After sweeping the non-conference slate and picking up solid wins over Buffalo and SMU, the Terps traveled to the Big House and gave Big Blue a real scare.
Despite not being able to defeat Michigan, they did take care of Michigan State at home the following Saturday. Maryland would then lose to Purdue in a battle of the Big Ten’s most pass-happy schools, and just as they beat the Wolverines in-state rivals, the Terps would take down the Boilermakers’ state foes last time out.
In Week 7, Maryland defeated Indiana, 38-33, dropping to 4-3 ATS this season.
Star quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa will likely sit this one out with Maryland’s bye set to come next week, meaning Billy Edwards Jr. will get the call again here. The redshirt freshman did just enough to get the Terps to the finish line, and with a week of proper preparation, this homecoming spot versus Northwestern will be the perfect game to make his first career start. Edwards rushed for 53 yards and a score against Indiana last week.
Roman Hemby and Antwain Litttleton split the carries for the Terrapins. Hemby surpassed the 110-yard mark for the third time versus the Hoosiers, and he’s been a consistent receiving threat out of the backfield. Hemby leads the team 502 rushing yards, and he’s also caught 24 passes for 225 receiving yards and scored five touchdowns this season.
Tagovailoa has spread the wealth evenly this season with five pass catchers hovering 25 catches or more. Corey Dyches is one of the best tight ends in the Big Ten, and he leads Maryland in receptions (25), receiving yards (346), and touchdowns (3). Rakim Jarrett remains a force on the outside, he’s matched Dykes with a team-lead 25 grabs.
Senior wideout Jeshun Jones has already set a new career-high in receiving yards at 294, while Jacob Copeland looks like the most explosive MD wideout since Stefan Diggs. The Florida transfer leads the wideout room with 313 yards, and the team in yards per catch (15.1).
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- NW is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- MD is 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Wildcats are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games.
- Midshipmen are 5-3 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Free Week 8 NCAA Football Final Analysis:
This has quietly turned into the perfect storm for Maryland. The news of Tagovailoa’s injury came as a sigh of relief, and with a bye week to rest looming, if there’s any Big Ten matchup to miss, it’s versus Northwestern. Edwards coming on and leading two late scoring drives brings even more optimism heading into this one. He should thrive in his first start against a Northwestern team that has fallen apart since the Ireland win and dropped five straights.
Edwards will have plenty of toys at his disposal, and the Terrapins should have little trouble winning this one on both sides of the ball. Let’s prey on the groggy opponent and trust Maryland to lay the points for their homecoming game. Maryland by 14
Take the Terps spread here for this Big Ten matchup.
4* Free Week 8 NCAA Betting Pick: Maryland -14
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