Illinois vs. Maryland predictions: Can Fighting Illini football keep rolling?
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CHAMPAIGN — Illinois football returns from its second bye week to play in Week 12 of the college football season, hoping to build on its bowl-clinching victory against Rutgers.
The Illini (6-3, 3-3) welcome in Maryland (4-5, 1-5), which is coming off a loss to Rutgers. This is only the fourth meeting between the programs, the last an Illini victory in 2023.
Coach Bret Bielema and Illinois kickoff at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 against coach Mike Locksley and the Terrapins. The game is airing on FS1 and streaming on Fubo (free trial available).
Here's a scouting report on the game, including score predictions by the Journal Star's Wes Huett, Dave Eminian and Adam Duvall:
Illinois vs. Maryland scouting report
Why Illinois has an advantage: With a bye week to rest up and a major bowl within reach, expect the Illini to stay hungry and focused with sights on another 10-win season. Illinois should be able to move the ball behind clutch QB Luke Altmyer and its balanced offense and opportunistic defense. Maryland has lost five in a row.
Why Maryland has an advantage: Dual-threat QB Malik Washington is a weapon and can make plays happen, as can the Terrapins defense — second in the nation with 17 interceptions. But injuries and inconsistency as of late are killing Maryland, which also is only scoring three points per game in the fourth quarter.
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Illinois vs. Maryland predictions
Illinois 34, Maryland 17: Illinois won't be making the College Football Playoff, but I full expect the Illini to finish strong this regular season, and it starts here. Illinois will gran an early lead and lean on the run game to close out an overmatched Maryland team. If the defense can generate turnovers, it could get ugly. — Wes Huett
Illinois 42, Maryland 24: The Illini should handle a Maryland team that has won once in the Big Ten this season. It's a win column-padding game for Illinois, a chance to help itself as a bowl candidate down the line. Maryland has lost five straight Big Ten games. The Terrapins are built around dual-threat QB Malik Washington, who has 2,056 passing yards and 13 TDs with just six interceptions. Their defense is young and allowed 55 points to Indiana and 35 to Rutgers in recent outings. Illini veteran QB Luke Altmyer should have a day, and the Illinois defense will be a strong test for Washington, especially if they contain his running. — Dave Eminian
Illinois 41, Maryland 24: The Fighting Illini come off a bye week, looking to improve on their 11-2 record against unranked teams over the last two seasons. Illinois QB Luke Altmyer threw a season-high four TDs in his last outing, giving him 19 on the season — three short of his career-high. Maryland started the season 4-0 before losing five in a row including three successive defeats by four points or less. Terrapins QB Malik Washington has 2,056 passing yards with 13 TDs, finding WR Shaleak Knotts for 434 yards on 28 catches with five TDs. — Adam Duvall
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois vs. Maryland predictions: How Illini maintain winning ways
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