For those of you who try to predict each week of college football action, 2026 has not been your year. However, in the midst of all the chaos, you’ve probably been able to have one team pegged with little issue, and that’s Maryland.
We knew things could go south for Mike Locksley’s Terrapins this season, and considering that the Terps currently sit at 2-5 and Locksley’s out the door, I think we can all agree that is exactly what’s occurred. But, just because you’re south doesn’t mean you’re off the map, and this week against Illinois is as good an opportunity as any for Maryland to get some groove back.
Now you may find this silly, and I get why, as the Fighting Illini just downed Oregon for what is undoubtedly their biggest win of the season so far and, of course, the Terps just canned the mastermind behind their team identity. I choose to approach games differently though, and that's why those factors are instead the only ones convincing me that Maryland does in fact have a chance.
Think about it: “hangover games” have already been a heavy theme of the 2026 warpath, with guys like Auburn and BYU collapsing in disheartening fashion after humongous wins. Couldn’t Illinois suffer a similar fate after downing the Ducks?
I suppose some could argue no, as we’ve already been made aware of how today’s Oregon is far from what we anticipated for this year, but couldn’t I argue that beating Oregon is still huge for the Illini in particular, especially since 2026 hasn’t gone down the way we had in mind for them either? I think so.
As for the Terrapins, a new man at their helm means an altered approach to what they’ve given us through their first seven games—A.K.A., something all the harder for Illinois to prepare for.
Therefore, let’s say Maryland shoots the Illini right out of the sky…so what? Compared to the heaping pile of shockers we’ve already gotten, would that really make for a bombshell to remember?
Maybe not for you, but for the Terps that have had nothing to cheer for all season outside of Mike Locksley’s inevitable dismissal? Yeah, it’d probably make for an awesome memory, as well as a twinkle of hope for the future of Maryland football.
So, for what it’s worth Maryland, I see the potential you have to get a big win at home over the Fighting Illini, just like I see how few of people are looking over to watch you pull it off. In a world where college football is riddled with so much parity that virtually everyone else is making news, that seems unfair. Do something about it while you can.
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