Indiana football has now lost three straight games after last week’s sad loss to #4 Michigan on homecoming weekend, but turns focus to Maryland in Week 7.
The Hoosiers snapped their three-game winning streak against the Terrapins in 2021, losing 38-35 in College Park. Indiana football has outscored Maryland 130-109 over the last four matchups. Expect another potentially high scoring matchup if IU can figure out their offense.
Will Tom Allen’s football program win another game this season? Losing hope one week at a time. Here are my bold predictions for Week 7.
Three bold predictions for Indiana football vs. Maryland
#3. Hoosiers won’t be able to slow down Taulia Tagovailoa
One of the biggest weaknesses for Tom Allen’s defense has been the off-and-on performance of the secondary and its ability to cover deep passing attacks. If any team in the Big Ten is described as a deep passing attack, it’s Maryland and Taulia Tagovailoa.
Last season against the Hoosiers, Tagovailoa completed 26-of-40 passes for a career-high 419 passing yards, and two touchdowns. The senior quarterback hit five different receivers for 35+ yard completions and could hit any target he wanted. At the end of Week 6, Tagovailoa ranks second-best in the Big Ten in passing yards (1,731) and 13th in the NCAA in total passing yards.
My underwhelming expectation for this Week 7 contest is that Tagovailoa hits multiple 40+ yard touchdown throws and tears up this secondary for 350+ passing yards. Let’s hope Connor Bazelak can keep up with one of the best QB’s in the Big Ten.