Maryland Terrapins Football 2025 Preview, Prediction, Betting ideas

Maryland Terrapins

2024 Record:4-8

View From Afar: 2025 feels like a massive year for Mike Locksley. We shouldn't forget this man had Maryland finishing with 8-5 records in both 2022 and 2023, that is quite impressive in my estimation! However, as the recruiting wins have grown, the results dwindled to a quite disappointing 4-8 season a year ago. Now with a new AD at the helm, this feels like a year where he will have to show signs of getting results on the field, not just on signing day. After Maryland came back to beat (inexcusably, I may add) USC, they ended the year losing their last 5, in mostly non-competitive fashion. Hamilton comes over from the NFL(lastly, the Texans' 22) to lead the offense and likely play a key role in developing Malik Washington, the prized QB recruit. Defensively, Monachino and Abdul-Rahim look to spearhead the duties on improving a unit that somehow managed to give up 37 points to Northwestern a season ago! The Terrapins enter '25 with seemingly low expectations, yet when your new AD says "we're going to build the best athletic program in the country," that feels like you might need to show signs of a pulse! Ultimately, unless Locksley gets thermo-nuclear play from a freshman phenom(hopefully) in Malik Washington, results will be hard to come by in '25.

Recruiting: Maryland came in at the #8 spot in the 2025 recruiting class, including six 4 stars. Building on the #12 class from '24. No question this program is doing a great job on the recruiting trail.

Portal: Maryland comes in at #10 in the portal class for this season. 30 players departing is a slightly concerning sign. Edwards (QB), Hemby (RB), and Wyatt(Edge) all depart to league rivals, and will likely play a role at the new school... concerning. Throw in losing Wheatland(LB) to Auburn and a few others to the SEC, and it makes for a bleak outlook. Joyner(CB) come's over from Arkansas State and is the most exciting add, Farroq(WR) from Oklahoma showed flashes? Lastly Thomas(DL) has garnered some buzz as he come's over from St. Francis. Ultimately, not good signs here as I see it.

Key Roster Departures: Maryland had 6 players drafted this year, which is significant for a program like Maryland. Tai Felton and Prather were a Lethel WR duo by Big 10 standards.

Roster Tidbits: We hope to see Malik Washington in '25 as he could provide a real beacon of hope for this program. Unfortunately, he won't have much around him this season. Bah returns on the line; he graded out quite well last season. Herron also returns, but graded out quite poorly. Nolan Ray (RB) had 300-plus rushing, and Smith(WR) had 300-plus receiving. Hopefully, one of them makes a leap? Ultimately, this offense looks quite bare bones, maybe you can talk yourself into some of the transfer WRs hitting! Defensively, much of the same, Husky (S) is back to lead the secondary, and other than that, you'll probably be relying on many transfers. I just do not see it on the defensive line. With the aforementioned Joyner, maybe Glasker (Wake) and 4-star freshman Delhomme can provide in the secondary. From my standpoint, the picture being painted is a roster with a lot of question marks.

Statistical Pulse: According to PFF, Maryland was the worst-rated pass-blocking unit in the 2024 Big 10. It also graded out as the worst-rated run-blocking unit. That is not good!

Schedule: Maryland has seemingly three cupcakes in the non-conference, unless you ask Notre Dame, they might say something different about NIU! I do like the way the bye's set up. Prior to Washington at home and Indiana at home, though I am high on the Hoosiers. Ultimately, they avoid Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and Iowa. It's a schedule Maryland fans would have dreamed of for years; can Locksley make anything happen with the gift!

Prediction: I just don't see it this year with the Terps. I would love to see Locksley get some time with the recruits he is bringing in, it's certainly a program I'm bookmarking for next year if he is given the oppertunity. However, unless Washington step's in and is absolutely sensational, this team will really struggle in '25. The lines seem weak, WR room an unknown, and secondary being piece-mealed together. 4-8 is realistic for this group.

Actionable: I have stated before and will reiterate that you don't get rich going strongly against Vegas. But my god, Maryland under 2.5 conference wins (DK –150) is something I feel like pounding the table on. I get it; the schedule is very manageable by Big 10 standards, but it's still the Big 10 in '25. No Purdue or Northwestern, either. I just don't see three conference wins for this group.