Maryland, led by its 7th season head coach, Mike Locksley, is finally finding its rhythm and was undefeated before going into the Washington game in Week 6. The team is also ranked 11th in scoring defense, giving away just 67 points so far, and is 13th nationally in limiting 3rd down conversions. So, going into the Week 6 game against Washington at SECU Stadium, Maryland had hopes for a fifth consecutive win. However, a poor 4th quarter showing became the difference as Washington came from behind to win 24-20. Despite the loss, though, a prominent Maryland ESPN alum has defended Mike Locksley.

Washington, in contrast, came into the game after a 6-24 blowout loss against Ohio State, and that dynamic favored Maryland slightly. ESPN’s Rece Davis even predicted a Washington upset. “This is a Maryland team that wants to prove itself… I’ll give it to Locksley and the Terps and say that they’re going to pull the upset,” said Rece Davis. Rece Davis wasn’t wrong, though. Maryland shut out Washington for three quarters, limiting them to just 3 points while themselves accumulating 20 points on the scoreboard. However, the fourth quarter changed everything.

Washington became a different beast in the fourth quarter, scoring three touchdowns, which included three 74+ yards drives. Maryland’s offense, on the contrary, couldn’t gain first downs, and several incompletions from QB Malik Washington made it impossible to sustain them. However, when you ask Maryland’s famous ESPN alum, Scott Van Pelt, for him there were more positives than negatives. “There have been some really bad spots where you get people excited and then you lose a game and you get absolutely obliterated because you can’t compete, but that isn’t what happened,” said Van Pelt, and provided his reasoning.

For Scott Van Pelt, the prospect of Maryland going 5-0 before facing Nebraska in Week 7 was alluring. However, the ESPN analyst still remained optimistic about the Nebraska game. “After they played Ohio State, I liked Maryland’s chances. I loved the spot. And again, at 20 to nothing, 20 to three, even 20 to 10, I’m like, All right, fellas. A couple of first downs. Hold your water. Instead, it’s just a really disappointing loss… if you want to say it’s the same old, okay, it’s a loss, but it’s not the same old. It’s not some 51-3 loss that says they’re a fraud. That’s not it at all…You have an opportunity next week. Good Nebraska team comes in. Dig your boots in and sign up for 60,” said Van Pelt on ESPN’s Oct 5 podcast episode. Of course, the reasons to remain optimistic for Maryland are many.

Maryland will host Nebraska on 11th October, and while it will be a tough game, Maryland still can extract an upset. Compared to Maryland’s 2024 performance, where they finished just 4 wins, this season has been a revelation. Washington provides continuity in the QB room, after the departure of Taulia Tagovailoa and Billy Edwards Jr, described as a “confident leader.” The defense, particularly, has shown exceptional resurgence after the unit’s 105th rank nationally in points allowed. Not just that, against Washington dominating the first three quarters was a statement in itself, as the D line pressured Demond Williams diligently. That said, there are some mistakes the team must avoid.

Mike Locksley clears the air on the Washington loss

The offensive line for Maryland has been an issue so far. Transfers like Rahtel Perry and Carlos Moore are not showing the elite levels they were touted to have, and have failed to open running lanes for the rushing unit. Owing to that, the Terrapins’ rushing offense is ranked 130th nationally, with just 466 yards accumulated so far. Moreover, Mike Locksley’s losses after bye weeks (0-10 record) are a concern since Washington also came after a bye week for the head coach. Still, analysts are riding high on Maryland.

“The way they’re playing on both sides of the ball, I think Maryland is a team that’s going to be dangerous…I think their quarterback, Malik Washington, has got a chance to be a really special player,” said ESPN analyst Greg McElroy. As for the bye game loss against Washington, the head coach, Mike Locksley, rallied the team to bounce back. “We’ve created a foundation that I think will allow us to bounce back better,” said the head coach. The verdict?

Maryland this year has a favorable schedule and, despite a Big 10 loss, avoids Ohio State and Oregon this season. Of course, teams like Nebraska, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan would pose a challenge. However, finishing with 9-10 wins is realistically within reach for the Terrapins. That said, other teams like UCLA and Michigan State can’t be underestimated. The Bruins are coming after defeating a ranked Penn State, while Michigan State had close games against UCLA and Nebraska.