UCLA Bruins vs Maryland Terrapins Preview: Keys, Players and Predictions

The UCLA Bruins are heading back home to the Rose Bowl for a Week 8 matchup against the Maryland Terrapins. The Blue and Gold will be looking to notch their third consecutive win after a horrid 0-4 start. Since handing the keys to interim head coach Tim Skipper and offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel, UCLA has been competing like a top-25 team. Over the last two weeks, the Bruins have averaged 40 points and 426.5 yards per contest. They will look to get one step closer to a bowl-eligible season.

On the other hand, Maryland has an opposite experience to the season. The Terrapins have dropped back-to-back games after a 4-0 start. The fellow Big Ten member will step into hostile territory on Saturday. They seek a much-needed conference win against UCLA. With that in mind, let’s dive into this 2025 UCLA vs. Maryland game preview.

UCLA vs. Maryland: Matchup History

It’s been 70 years since the Bruins and Terrapins last lined up for a kickoff. It’ll be a fresh new face for both sides. A new chapter in history will unfold in the Big Ten.

The all-time series is knotted at 1-1, so the ensuing tiebreaker is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. PST.

UCLA will enter as a -3.5 point favorite.

UCLA vs. Maryland 2025 Preview: Keys, Players and Predictions

Last week, it was Skipper asking his team, “Are we one-hit wonders?”. This week, the interim head coach infused his guys with more motivation, uttering that, “the standard is the standard, and don’t get bored with success.”

With as much noise and praise that surrounded this program over the last several weeks, Skipper has been keeping his head down, grinding away. The more wins the interim head coach can generate, the more he can revive the once deflated Bruin Faithful. However, UCLA’s eyes remain on its game plan to extend the season’s winning streak to three.

Key Players for Bruins

As much as the offense was crucial to last week’s blowout win, the defense had its best outing all season. Allowing a season-low 13 points is just the tip of the iceberg for UCLA, and it starts with the back end.

Defensive back Scooter Jackson has been great for the Bruins the last two games, stepping up to make big-time tackles. Nonetheless, his play Saturday against a streaky Maryland offense will have an impact on the outcome. Despite being a member of the secondary, Jackson invites contact and plays downhill. The junior has shown the ability to make noise around the line of scrimmage as well as in the box. Look for No. 28 to cause disturbance to a disgruntled Maryland squad on Saturday.

Alongside Jackson is linebacker JonJon Vaughns. The senior is having a career year with a team-high 58 total tackles. Vaughns has been the unsung hero of this Bruins defense, and his four 10-plus tackle games have been overshadowed. Although the Blue and Gold have not been the most sure-handed tacklers all season, Vaughns has commanded a role that was left to be claimed prior to the season’s start. Against Maryland, the experienced backer will have an opportunity to make game-altering impacts as he seeks his first turnover of the year.

Key Players for Terrapins

For Maryland, quarterback Malik Washington has been the backbone of head coach Mike Locksley’s team. The true freshman has thrown for 1506 passing yards (seventh in Big Ten), 137 completions (fourth), 10 passing touchdowns (t-eighth), two interceptions and has only been sacked twice (tied for last among starting Big Ten QBs). The young gunslinger has yet to fall below 200 passing yards in a game and has the composure to make incredible throws. The six-foot-five quarterback will have to deal with a Bruins defense that has picked up their slack as of late, so continuing to keep turnovers to a minimum will be a must.

Aiding the other side of the ball is defensive back Dontay Joyner. On the year, the junior DB has recorded four passes defended, two interceptions, one pick six and has allowed an impressive 14.6 passer rating as a lockdown member of the Terrapins’ secondary. Not only does Joyner have the ball skills to make throwing his way a threat, but his experience keeps him grounded to the basics. He rarely overcommits and has fluid hips to sync with receivers. He also has elite acceleration and always stays in motion. He’ll look to pick off his second Big Ten quarterback on Saturday.

UCLA’s Week 8 Path to Victory

If Skipper and Neuheisel can have a carbon copy of last week’s game against Michigan State, all will be well.

The offense must remain hot and get out early. It’s been the emphasis all year long. Seeing the first possession end in a score will set the tempo early and build confidence heading into the following drives. To achieve that, the running backs will be relied upon to set up short second and third downs. The inside runs have not been pretty for UCLA, so sticking to the outside should continue — especially with the explosive nature that UCLA’s backfield possesses.

Defensively, getting off the field on third downs will make or break this conference matchup. If Maryland can extend drives, it’ll be difficult for the Bruins to keep up. The Terrapins are a team that is comfortable in high-scoring environments. Along with limiting the drive extenders, the Blue and Gold will need to be keen on winning the line of scrimmage. If the front seven can break through, it’ll open up opportunities to capitalize on Maryland’s mistakes.