What to know about Maryland football in 2026

What to know about Maryland football in 2026

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What to know about Maryland football in 2026

You may not realize it, but Maryland is about to enter its 13th season in the Big Ten. Unfortunately for the Terrapins, that could be an unlucky number as Maryland looks to return to postseason bowl play after back-to-back losing seasons. Maryland avoided making any major changes in leadership with the program after the 2025 season, with the hope that some young players continue to develop and improve the team’s overall chances to compete consistently.

Here is a quick look at the Maryland Terrapins heading into the 2026 season.

Quick 2025 Recap

  • Record: 4-8 overall, 1-8 Big Ten
  • Bowl result: N/A

Maryland’s 2025 season followed some similar trends seen in previous seasons, specifically getting off to a solid start in September before falling off in a hurry. Maryland opened the 2025 season with a 4-0 record, highlighted by wins over Wisconsin and Florida Atlantic, but the Terrapins ended the year on an eight-game losing streak. Maryland’s first two losses in that streak came by a combined seven points, but the wheels fell off against tougher competition moving on, including a 55-10 loss to eventual national champion Indiana.

Head coach: Mike Locksley, 9th season

Oct 19, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley during the second half Southern California Trojans at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

  • Record: 39-75 overall, 37-49 with Maryland

As the college football coaching carousel was spinning, Mike Locksley managed to hold on to his job despite back-to-back 4-8 seasons in College Park. Maryland athletics director Jim Smith opted to keep Locksley as the head coach of the program for the 2026 season and committed to investing more in the team’s NIL budget to help Locksley out.

While the coaching record of Locksley is nothing to brag about, it is important to keep in mind that he coached at New Mexico for three seasons and racked up a record of 2-26 to start his coaching career at one of the worst places to do so. But his ability to recruit was always a strong suit that helped him at Alabama and at Maryland. Locksley improved Maryland once he took over and has reached the 8-win mark twice (2022 and 2023), and he is 3-0 in postseason bowl games with Maryland. But the last two seasons have not been kind, and that could land Locksley in a bit of a hot seat situation this fall despite the AD’s commitment for this season.

Offensive player to know: Malik Washington, Quarterback

Nov 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington (7) drops back to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Maryland quarterback Malik Washington had a fantastic debut season for the Terrapins as a freshman in 2025. Washington was a key in-state recruit for Mike Locksley in the Class of 2025, and he showed why last fall by being named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on two occasions, Washington passed for 2,963 yards and 17 touchdowns to break the school’s passing record for a freshman. Washington was among the Big Ten’s top five in completions and passing yards per game.

Defensive player to know: Daniel Wingate, Linebacker

Dec 30, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Maryland Terrapins linebacker Daniel Wingate (16) celebrates the play against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Senior linebacker Daniel Wingate returns to the Maryland defense and will be a true defensive leader in 2026. Wingate was an honorable mention for All-Big Ten a season ago after recording 02 tackles with 6.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks. Wingate is an experienced starter after starting all 12 games for Maryland last season.

Does Penn State face Maryland in 2026?

Penn State will play Maryland this season. The Nittany Lions will close out the regular season against Maryland on November 28 on the road in College Park, Maryland.

Penn State leads the all-time series by a decisive advantage, 44-3-1. Penn State has won four consecutive meetings in the series, running from 2021 through 2024. The long-running series used to be played almost annually before Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, but the two schools did not face each other from 1994 through 2013, with the series resuming when Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014. Penn State leads the series 9-2 since Maryland’s addition to the Big Ten. Both of Maryland’s wins came in Beaver Stadium, including the 2020 season.

Penn State will also host Maryland in the 2027 Big Ten schedule, with an exact date to be determined. Penn State will not face Maryland in 2028.

Full 2026 Maryland football schedule

Sep 15, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Detailed view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet during the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Virginia Cavaliers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports

Home games in all CAPS.

  • September 5 vs. HAMPTON
  • September 12 at UConn
  • September 19 vs. VIRGINIA TECH
  • September 26 vs. UCLA*
  • October 3 at Nebraska*
  • October 10 at Ohio State*
  • October 17 vs. RUTGERS*
  • October 24 Bye
  • October 31 vs. ILLINOIS*
  • November 7 at Purdue*
  • November 14 vs. WISCONSIN*
  • November 21 at USC*
  • November 28 vs. PENN STATE*

“*” designates Big Ten Conference game

Kevin McGuire is the lead writer for Nittany Lions Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on BlueSky, Threads or any of these other platforms.

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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: What to know about Maryland Terrapins football in 2026

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