Maryland football’s season hit a low point in its loss to UCLA. It marked the Terps’ third straight loss after leading in the fourth quarter. 

Looking to regroup, the Terps hit their bye week before their biggest test yet.

No. 2 Indiana has destroyed everyone in its way thus far and heads to College Park looking for a ninth consecutive win. Under head coach Michael Locksley, Maryland is 0-10 after a bye week.

The Terps can either change the narrative around the program or fall short as they’ve consistently done against greater competition. 

Maryland has a record of 0-12 against top-10 opponents since 2019 and will have another chance for an improbable upset at home. 

As the Terps celebrate homecoming, this is their chance to prove that this team is different than in years past.

No. 2 Indiana has become unstoppable.

Just two seasons ago, Indiana came to College Park and got blown out, 44-17. A lot has changed since then.

Head coach Curt Cignetti took over Indiana and turned the Hoosiers from a bottom-dweller to a powerhouse in just two seasons. 

“If you look at [Cignetti’s] track record, everywhere he’s been, he’s won,” Locksley said. “You got to give credit to a guy that does it, and he’s built it the right way.”

Wholistically, Indiana doesn’t have many flaws. The Hoosiers are in the top-10 in both total offensive and defensive yards per game. 

Indiana isn’t afraid of being on the road, beating No. 6 Oregon and Iowa in its two prior games away from Bloomington.

At the helm, redshirt junior quarterback Fernado Mendoza transferred in from California and has become a Heisman candidate and top NFL prospect.

Mendoza has thrown for 1,923 yards and 24 touchdowns, as well as 196 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. 

“The quarterback is as advertised. He’s one of those guys that are very accurately efficient,” Locksley said. “As he goes, they go.” 

Mendoza’s top target is Elijah Sarratt with 609 receiving yards for 10 touchdowns. Omar Cooper Jr. has also been a dynamic weapon with 583 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. E.J. Williams Jr. also has 321 receiving yards.

On the ground, Indiana has a familiar face. Roman Hemby spent four seasons at Maryland before transferring to Indiana, but he has exceeded what he did in College Park.

Hemby has 513 yards, four touchdowns on the ground, and 131 receiving yards. He was a solid contributor to Maryland, but has outpaced that production for the Hoosiers. Kaelon Black has also rushed for over 500 yards.

The Hoosiers have the seventh-best run defense, allowing 85.4 yards per game. Compared to Maryland’s rushing attack, which averages 101.3 yards per game and has rushed for 709 total yards. The Terps ranked 128th of 134 FBS programs in rushing yards per game.

Indiana has three linebackers with over 40 tackles and multiple sacks. Aidan Fisher, Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy have caused terror for opposing offenses.

“I think defense is where they really jump out, because they’ve got another veteran group there, and it seems like [Fisher] is all over the tape… really talented player on the back end,” Locksley said. 

Redshirt senior defensive back Louis Moore leads the Hoosiers with 54 total tackles and four interceptions. 

The Hoosiers also have Kellan Wyatt on the defensive line. He spent the last three seasons with the Terps. Like Hemby, he has made a bigger impact than he ever did in College Park. 

Can the Terps keep up with a far greater opponent?

In Maryland’s last game, it fell to UCLA, 20-17 on a game-winning field goal. The Terps blew yet another fourth-quarter lead and struggled throughout. 

During the bye week, the Bruins faced Indiaia. Maryland’s hopes aren’t high, as the Hossiers routed the Bruins 56-6 in a complete mismatch. 

The Terps will need to play better than perfect if they want to pull off a near-impossible win. That said, the Terps have ways to complete the upset.

Maryland has the second-best turnover margin in the FBS with 11, only behind Southern Mississippi’s 12 with one more game played. Maryland’s 14 interceptions are also second-best in the nation.

The Terps have forced 16 turnovers, which is tied for the sixth-most in the nation and their four defensive touchdowns are tied for third-best. 

Freshman quarterback Malik Washington has proven to be the real deal. He’s thrown for 1,716 yards, 11 touchdowns and only three interceptions. 

Last week, ESPN ranked Washington as the second-best freshman in the country and the highest-ranked quarterback. 

The Terps have also had key contributions from freshman defensive lineman Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart, who were ranked 13th as a duo on that list. 

Senior defensive back Jalen Huskey has three interceptions on the season is tied for the 12th-most in the nation. Yet, Huskey will not be available in the first half for Maryland on Saturday. Huskey was ejected for targeting in the second half against UCLA, but was named one of Maryland’s game captains. 

“[Huskey’s] one of our leaders. He’s a guy that we count on to kind of be the guy in the locker room, and he’s been doing just that for us,” Locksley said.

Maryland’s defense on Saturday will rely on health. Mathis and Daniel Wingate were hurt in the UCLA game, but could see the field against Indiana.

“They both were active and participated in practice yesterday. We’re evaluating them this week to see and hopefully they will be available,” Locksley said. 

The Terps will need as much help as they can get on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. from SECU Stadium on WMUC Sports.