2024 NCAAF Cheat Sheet: Maryland Terrapins Stats & Odds
Uncertainty at QB Could Cloud 2024 Maryland Terrapins Stats
On the heels of a third straight bowl victory, the Maryland Terrapins look to take another step forward in the new-look Big Ten Conference. Changes are abound though, with the Terrapins needing to replace record-breaking quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa.
They kick off the season Aug. 31 against UConn at home.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we analyze the potential 2024 Maryland Terrapins stats.
At A Glance
| Odds to Win | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
| Championship | +50000 | +50000 |
| Conference | +10000 | +10000 |
| Regular Season Win Total | 6.5 (o-140, u+114) | 6.5 (o+100, u-120) |
| To Make Playoffs | N/A | N/A |
Terps Find Consistency Under Locksley
If nothing else, Maryland has sure been consistent under Mike Locksley. The Terrapins went 8-5 (4-5 Big 10) and won their third straight bowl game last season, beating Auburn 31-13. They posted an identical record in 2022.
Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa — the younger brother of NFL quarterback Tua Tagovailoa — graduated, leaving the Terrapins with big shoes to fill. Tagovailoa threw for a Big Ten-record 11,356 career yards, surpassing Curtis Painter’s mark of 11,163.
Locksley added a few capable transfers on offense in guard Aliou Bah (Georgia) and center Josh Kaltenberger (Purdue), but uncertainty at quarterback could temper any expectations. Billy Edwards Jr. may have the inside track at quarterback after getting the nod in the Music City Bowl, but NC State transfer MJ Morris and Cameron Edge are both capable of pushing him for the starting job. Regardless, it’ll be nearly impossible to replace Tagovailoa, at least at the outset.
Fortunately, the Terrapins return plenty of talent elsewhere, including five starters on defense.
A difficult conference schedule won’t do them any favors, but the Terrapins, who have won 23 games over the last three seasons, should be good enough to get back to a bowl. Anything less would be a disappointment, even with Tagovailoa no longer around.
It’s reasonable to expect a fast start with home games against UConn, Michigan State and FCS school Villanova during the first month.
For more on the Terrapins, let’s break down the projected 2024 Maryland Terrapins stats.
Championship Odds: No Tagovailoa, No Chance
A national championship? Let’s get straight to the point.
It’s not happening.
If the Terrapins couldn’t compete on that level with a record-breaking quarterback in Tagovailoa, they certainly aren’t going to do so without him. The expanded playoff field makes no difference.
The Big Ten is simply too deep and talented, and the Terrapins face uncertainty at several critical areas.
Bettors would be wise to look past these college football odds and put their money elsewhere.
Conference Odds: Longshot at Best
The Terrapins have gone under .500 in Big Ten play during each of Locksley’s five seasons as head coach (14-27), and the conference is only getting stronger following the additions of Oregon, USC, UCLA and Washington.
The schedule-makers didn’t do the Terrapins many favors, handing them games at Oregon and Penn State in November, along with Iowa at home.
The Terrapins may be able to hover around .500, but without a proven commodity at quarterback, they don’t stand a chance to compete near the top of the conference.
- At +10000, the Terrapins have the sixth-longest odds to win the conference.
Regular Season Wins: Soft Non-Con Gives Them a Chance
Maryland’s covered this total in back-to-back seasons, but that was with Tagovailoa, one of the conference’s most accomplished quarterbacks, under center. Now they’re forced to pivot without a proven replacement.
Thanks to a relatively soft early schedule, a fast start appears likely. The Terrapins should be favored in all three non-conference games — UConn (Aug. 31), Virginia (Sept. 14) and Villanova (Sept. 21) — which are sandwiched around the Big Ten opener against Michigan State (Sept. 7).
The Terrapins should do no worse than 3-1 in those games, which would put them on track to surpass expectations. Given the strength of the Big Ten, anything less likely won’t cut it. Be sure to keep that in mind when assessing the potential 2024 Maryland Terrapins stats.
To Make Playoffs: Better Luck Next Year
Oddsmakers aren’t even entertaining the possibility of Maryland making the playoffs, and with good reason. Even with the field tripling in size from four to 12 teams, the Terrapins don’t stand a chance of competing with the best college football teams.
The Terrapins’ best record in Big Ten play came way back in 2014 (4-4), their first season after leaving the ACC. Nine straight sub-.500 finishes have followed.
They’re not capable of making the drastic turnaround needed to contend.
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