Big Ten Football: Week 3 Power Rankings

8. Maryland (11)

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week: 40-37 loss to West Virginia

Maryland showed grit and determination, crawling back from a 28-6 deficit, but the Terrapins couldn’t quite scratch their way to a victory as the Mountaineers hit a heartbreaking 47-yard field goal  to win the game.

Obviously, it’ll be important for the Terrapins to show better defense, especially early in future contests. It’s tough to win a game buried in such a hole. Maryland particularly struggled in pass defense, giving up plenty of big plays.

The offense got things rolling after awhile, but it needed more consistency from quarterback CJ Brown.

Brown’s numbers were solid as he threw for over 260 yards and rushed for another 161, but the Terrapins really need to get the ball in their playmakers’ hands.

When Steffon Diggs gets the ball, good things happen. Diggs finished with 127 yards and a touchdown on five catches.

Maryland especially needs to tune work on how they handle the passing game on both offense and defense this week versus Syracuse.

They’ll then open up Big Ten play with Indiana and Ohio State.

This Week: at Syracuse (Sept. 20- 11:30 a.m. on ESPN3)

My Prediction: Maryland 34-28