Maryland @ Temple preview
Lincoln Financial Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2018 ) Temple 35, Maryland 14
The first two games for Maryland could not have gone much better, but now the team takes its high-octane show on the road. The 25th-ranked Terrapins visit Temple on Saturday with junior transfer quarterback Josh Jackson looking to post a third straight strong performance.
Jackson has thrown for 541 yards and seven touchdowns, while his buddies in the backfield have accounted for 11 rushing TDs so far. In all, Maryland has scored 142 points in its first two games -- the third-highest total by any FBS team since 1936. "Our goal was to try to make them quit, and I think we did a good job at that," Jackson said after last weekend's 63-20 victory over a ranked Syracuse squad. Temple was impressive offensively in its own right last time out, rolling past Bucknell 56-12.
TV: Noon ET, CBS SportsNet. LINE: Maryland -7.5
ABOUT MARYLAND (2-0): The Terps have different leaders in rushing attempts (Tayon Fleet-Davis, 27), rushing yards (Jake Funk, 173) and rushing TDs (Anthony McFarland Jr., four). Javon Leake stepped up as well in last week's win with seven carries for 107 yards and two scores. The team also has been a force defensively with 12 sacks through two games, led by Keandre Jones' 3.5 sacks so far.
ABOUT TEMPLE (1-0): The Owls rode Anthony Russo to a rout in their opener as the junior quarterback was 32-of-41 for 409 yards with four TDs against Bucknell. Branden Mack and Jadan Blue combined for 19 catches for 247 yards and a touchdown, while Re'Mahn Davis paced the running backs with nine carries for 60 yards and a score. Davis added a touchdown through the air, while Jager Gardner (10 carries, 54 yards) also found the end zone twice against Bucknell.
EXTRA POINTS
1. After posting 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the season opener against Howard, Maryland WR Dontay Demus Jr. was limited to 25 yards and no scores against Syracuse.
2. Five different Owls caught a TD pass in the season opener.
3. Maryland has forced at least one turnover in 14 straight games, the fourth-longest streak in the country.
PREDICTION: Maryland 27, Temple 23