Minnesota Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Maryland in Week 9

Both Maryland and Minnesota football are hoping to bounce back from season-opening letdowns, but which team will get in that win column?

Week 8 wasn’t kind to either Minnesota or Maryland as both lost their season openers in disappointing fashion.

The Gophers hosted Michigan in what looked like it was going to be the game of the week and they scored easily on their first possession, but after that it was all Wolverines. Michigan ran away with a 49-24 win and left the Gophers in their dust.

Maryland’s loss was a little more disappointing, losing by 40 to Northwestern and giving up 43 points in the process. To say it was ugly would be an understatement.

What could we expect from Friday night’s Big Ten battle?

3. Rashod Bateman scores three touchdowns

Rashod Bateman is the best receiver in the conference and he showed just why that is against Michigan, gashing the secondary for nine receptions for 101 yards. That may not seem like a huge game, but there aren’t many receivers who can catch nine passes or reach 100 yards against Don Brown’s defense.

The junior is fresh off a 60-catch, 1,200-yard season and he had 11 touchdowns but didn’t score a single one against the Wolverines. That will change against Maryland’s porous secondary.

Bateman is not only going to surpass 100 yards again and catch 10 passes, but he’ll reach the end zone three times for the Gophers. Maryland’s defense won’t be able to handle Bateman as he’ll be able to do whatever he wants all night long.