One of the more interesting matchups on the Week 10 slate features the Maryland Terrapins (4-3, 1-3) against the No. 2-ranked Indiana Hoosiers (8-0, 5-0). Coming into the 2025 season, few expected the two programs to be where they are now. And, both are doing it with new quarterbacks at the helm this season.
For Indiana, it’s Cal-transfer Fernando Mendoza, who has quickly become a Heisman Trophy candidate and the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. For Maryland, true freshman Malik Washington has quietly put together an impressive season in his first year in college football. Yet, does he have what it takes to upset Mendoza and the Hoosiers? Let’s dive into this Maryland vs. Indiana 2025 college football preview and break it down.
Maryland Terrapins vs. Indiana Hoosiers: 2025 College Football Preview
Can Indiana continue their win streak in the Big Ten? Week 10 features a tough Maryland opponent that will look to pull off the upset on the day after Halloween.
Maryland vs. Indiana: Matchup History and Excerpts
Saturday’s matchup will be the 14th time these two programs have met on the gridiron. The first time these programs met was in 1934, where Indiana won 17-14 in a low-scoring affair. They played the following year, and then mysteriously did not face each other again until 2014, 79 years later. That game was won by the Terrapins, and the two programs have played every year since.
Currently, Indiana holds an 8-5 record over the Terrapins. While the Hoosiers won last year’s matchup 42-28, Maryland actually holds a 3-2 advantage over the last five meetings. Whether or not they can keep that advantage remains to be seen.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Maryland head coach Michael Locksley spoke about the team’s bye week occurring at the right time for the program this season. Not only did it allow them to get healthy, but it allowed them to reset their mindset ahead of a big matchup. He also discussed Indiana, his respect for their head coach, and how formidable the program is this season.
“Indiana, obviously a lot of respect for their program. Coach Cignetti, I’ve known a lot time. He comes from pedigree, his dad a Hall of Fame football coach, who I had the chance to compete against as a student-athlete for Towson State … His track record, everywhere he’s been, he’s won. You got to give credit to a guy that does it, and he’s built it the right way.”
For Indiana, despite their strong start, head coach Curt Cignetti is taking Maryland very seriously entering Week 10. The head coach cited their strong starts to games, their youth attributing to wins, and some bad luck that has dampened their 4-0 start to the season.
“Good football team; Coach Locksley and his staff have done a great job of recruiting the DMV,” said Cignetti at his weekly media presser. “[There’s] a lot of excellent young talent, and a lot of it is showing up on the field … They’re top-10 in the country in turnover ratio.”
While the Hoosiers enter this game as favorites, Cignetti is not counting out the Terrapins.
Keys to the Game
Key Players for Maryland
Freshman quarterback Malik Washington will be incredibly important in this contest. However, it’s the running back room that will be key on Saturday.
Indiana’s offense can score quickly. Limiting possessions will be key for Maryland to pull off the upset in Week 10. However, doing that will entail controlling the football, moving the chains, and draining the clock- which is established through the rushing attack.
At midseason, Indiana’s defense is listed as seventh in “stop rate” this season. Stop rate is ESPN Matt Olson’s defensive metric on how good a team is at stopping an opponent from scoring on each drive. They’re also great at stopping the run. Currently, Indiana only allows 3.3 yards per attempt, and has given up the seventh-fewest rushing yards this year. Maryland’s Nolan Ray and DeJuan Williams need help their quarterback out against the Hoosiers. Washington will not be able to continue to shoulder the offensive production against an opponent like Indiana.
For defense, two freshman will also be critical for Maryland in Week 10. Those are edge rushers Sidney Stewart and Zahir Mathis. The duo has 48 pressures on the year and nine sacks between them. Mathis specifically ranks 28th in the nation among edge rushers in pass-rush win-rate in true passing situations, making him a force to be reckoned with on Saturdays. And, head coach Mike Locksley said that Mathis was active and participated in practice, meaning he could be suiting up for the Terps against Indiana.
Given how fast Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is at making his reads and getting rid of the football, elite pass-rushers will be key to making him uncomfortable. If they are able to get Mendoza out of the pocket, it leads to sack and turnover opportunities. The former Cal quarterback has a propensity to play “hero ball” at times. Taking advantage of that could be key for the Terps on Saturday.
Key Players for Indiana
Truth be told, Indiana has elite playmakers nearly everywhere on offense. However, the right side of the line has struggled this season. Because of that, they are key in this matchup.
Kahlil Benson (right tackle) and Bray Lynch (right guard) are the only linemen on Indiana to give up sacks this season (3). They’re also responsible for 42.86-percent of the pressures on their quarterback. Against a good Maryland defensive front, they have to keep Fernando Mendoza upright and clean. The Hoosiers have the playmakers to put up points. The offensive line just needs to make sure they allow it to happen.
On defense, the line is going to be important in this game. All of the linemen are key, yet Mario Landino could be the difference-maker on Saturday.
The defensive lineman has 22 pressures and six sacks on the season. He also has nine run stops, and has a 0-percent missed tackle rate. That means when Landino has his hands on you, you’re not moving. For a Maryland offense that struggles to run the ball, Landino will be key in keeping that true. As a pass-rusher, creating havoc from the interior can force Malik Washington to go outside, running into Mikail Kamara, Stephen Daley, or even Tyrique Tucker up the middle.
Maryland tends to start games quickly on offense. If Indiana’s defensive line can force them to be one-dimensional, the Hoosiers could end the game early.
2025 Game Preview: How Maryland wins vs. Indiana in Week 10
It’s a long shot, but there are ways for Maryland to upset Indiana in Week 10. That starts with the turnover battle.
The Terps currently hold one of the best turnover margins in college football. Their defense is full of playmakers and ball hawks. Forcing Fernando Mendoza to make mistakes can even the playing field. Instead of throwing the ball away, there are times where Mendoza will force it into coverage when pressured. If Maryland can force him to play with a gunslinger mentality, it may work in their favor.
For offense, Maryland needs to control the clock and time of possession. The less amount of possessions for Indiana, the better. With how poorly their rushing attack has been, the Terps need that to change. Relying on the pass doesn’t completely ruin drives. However, for a team that struggles to run, it can make those possessions more important. Going three-and-out or taking few minutes off the clock per possession will spell disaster.
Finally, head coach Michael Locksley must outcoach Curt Cignetti. This includes adjustments, clock management, and personnel distribution. Cignetti is an elite coach; if Locksley wants his program to win, he has to prove he is on that same level in Week 10.
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