Wisconsin heads to College Park on Saturday with a little momentum after last weekend’s 31-10 win over Rutgers, but this one looks a lot trickier on paper than the record suggests.
Maryland is only 3-6 overall and 1-5 in Big Ten play, and it moved on from coach Mike Locksley in late October. Still, the Terrapins have shown some life under interim coach and former defensive coordinator Aazaar Abdul-Rahim.
That was on display in last week’s 34-29 loss at Purdue, where sophomore quarterback Malik Washington led the way. Badger fans should remember that name.
As for Wisconsin, the range of outcomes feels wide.
The best version of this game for the Badgers is one where freshman quarterback Ryan Hopkins keeps building off what he showed against Rutgers and Mike Tressell’s defense shows up the way it usually has this season. In that scenario, Wisconsin takes control early and never really lets Maryland breathe.
Even then, a blowout feels unlikely. The most optimistic read still has the Badgers winning comfortably, 27-10.
The nightmare version is a lot uglier. In that case, Wisconsin arrives a step slow, Maryland keeps the pressure on all afternoon, and Washington turns into the kind of problem the Badgers never fully solve.
Hopkins would be dealing with the first road start of his career, and the offense never quite finds a rhythm. That would leave Luke Fickell’s team staring at its second most disappointing loss of the season, with Maryland pulling it out 27-23.
The likeliest outcome sits somewhere in between. This has upset potential written all over it, but Wisconsin still feels like the team that can grind out a win here.
It probably won’t be clean. There should be mistakes on both sides of the ball.
But if the Badgers land a couple of huge plays - one from a running back and one from a defensive player - they can tilt a tight game their way and leave College Park with win No. 7.
In Other News...
Wisconsin Just Sent Another Big Message On In-State Recruiting
Wisconsins in-state recruiting push picked up another important win with the official signing of Jalen Brown, a 6-5 guard from Milwaukee who is now part of the Badgers 2027 basketball class. Brown had already committed in June 2025, but putting pen to paper gives Wisconsin another highly regarded local talent after he chose the Badgers over several power-conference offers.
Greg Gard has made no secret of how much he values Browns fit in the program, pointing to his scoring ability and work ethic as key reasons Wisconsin pursued him so aggressively. For a staff that wants to keep top Wisconsin prospects close to home, landing a consensus four-star guard from Milwaukee is the kind of move that resonates well beyond one recruiting cycle. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Finally Has Hope Up Front With Three Games Left
Freshman quarterback Ryan Hopkins gave Wisconsin a much-needed jolt in his first career start, and the timing could hardly have been better. The Badgers 31-10 win over Rutgers pushed them to 6-3, made them bowl eligible and offered a glimpse of what the offense can look like when the line holds together long enough to let a young passer settle in.
For much of the season, Wisconsin has been piecing together an offensive front because of injuries, and that instability has made every snap feel like a test. Against Rutgers, the protection looked noticeably cleaner, which matters now with Maryland, Purdue and Minnesota still ahead on the regular-season schedule and the chance to turn one encouraging afternoon into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Wisconsin Faces A Road Test That Could Define Luke Fickells Best Start
Wisconsin heads to Maryland at 6-3 with a chance to keep building momentum in what has already become one of Luke Fickells steadier seasons in Madison. The matchup brings a familiar Big Ten road challenge, and the Badgers path is pretty clear: keep the rushing attack balanced, stay on top of the game plan defensively, and get another dependable showing from freshman running back Ryan Hopkins.
Maryland adds a wrinkle with quarterback Malik Washington, whose presence gives the Terrapins a different kind of stress test for Wisconsins defense. For the Badgers, this is the sort of November game that can sharpen the picture of where the program stands under Fickell, and whether a solid start can turn into something more meaningful down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]