In 2024, the Oregon Ducks football team will get set for an intriguing matchup against a team they’ve never face before as the Maryland Terrapins visit on November 9th in Autzen Stadium. This is the first-ever meeting between the two teams. Ever. It’s never happened before. But the big Ten makes this sort of thing possible with conference realignment.
Let's dive into what Ducks fans can expect from this showdown.
Historical Context:
While Oregon and Maryland have never faced each other on the gridiron, both programs boast lengthy history to their football programs. Before arriving in the Big Ten, the Ducks established themselves as a perennial Pac-12 contender, while the Terrapins have been working to climb the ranks in the Big Ten.
Oregon's history is marked by innovative offenses and thrilling uniforms, with the team achieving national prominence in the 21st century. Maryland, on the other hand, claims a national championship from 1953 and has produced numerous NFL talents over the years.
Current Program Trajectories
Oregon football is a national title contender this season. Maryland isn’t. But that’s not a slight on them! The Ducks are entering the 2024 season with really high expectations under head coach Dan Lanning and as they are coming off a strong 2023 season, they’re looking to build upon that this season. The team's high-powered offense and improving defense make them a formidable opponent for any team on their schedule.
Maryland, on the other hand, has stabilized itself as an eight win team with Michael Locksley leading them. Now they’re looking to build upon that sort of steady foundation and move into the next tier of winning beyond that. The Terrapins have been moving up in the Big Ten steadily, but it’ll take a lot more to keep on moving up.
Maryland vs. Oregon summer preview, prediction
Go ahead and expect Oregon to win here. This game is at home, Maryland is having to replace a few key contributors from last season, but the Ducks should have the edge in this matchup largely due to the talent disparity that exists here.
Score prediction: Oregon 41, Maryland 21
Expect a competitive first half as both teams feel each other out, but look for Oregon to pull away in the second half. The Ducks' speed on both sides of the ball and the raucous home crowd will create problems for Maryland.