Illinois at Maryland - 2026 Matchup Preview
Illinois logo Illinois Fighting Illini at Maryland TerrapinsMaryland logo
Saturday, October 31st 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Maryland Stadium - College Park, MD

 
Fighting Illini (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (37 - 26)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (27 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
MD coming off BYE
Our Line: Illinois -6.5  (SP+ ILL -12.5)
Projected Score: ILL: 31 - MD: 25 (56)
ILL Win prob: 68% | Cover: 48%
ILL Travel: 606 miles, 1 hrs behind
Terrapins (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Mike Locksley (37 - 49)
Avg Score : 24 - 27 (26 - 27 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Illinois vs UAB-30.5
Sat 9/12 Illinois vs Duke-9
Sat 9/19 Illinois vs Southern Illinois-34.5
Sat 9/26 Illinois at Ohio State+21
Sat 10/3 Illinois vs Purdue-16.5
Sat 10/10 Illinois at Michigan State-10.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Illinois vs Oregon+12
Sat 10/31 Illinois at Maryland-6.5
Sat 11/7 Illinois vs Nebraska-8
Sat 11/14 Illinois at UCLA-10.5
Sat 11/21 Illinois vs Iowa+0.5
Sat 11/28 Illinois vs Northwestern-10

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Illinois's Schedule
Maryland's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Maryland vs Howard-25.5
Sat 9/12 Maryland at UConn-4
Sat 9/19 Maryland vs Virginia Tech-6.5
Sat 9/26 Maryland vs UCLA-6.5
Sat 10/3 Maryland at Nebraska+6
Sat 10/10 Maryland at Ohio State+30
Sat 10/17 Maryland vs Rutgers-5.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Maryland vs Illinois+6.5
Sat 11/7 Maryland at Purdue-3
Sat 11/14 Maryland vs Wisconsin-5.5
Sat 11/21 Maryland at USC+21
Sat 11/28 Maryland vs Penn State+10.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Maryland's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ILL#39 (.21)48% (15)29.448% (15)3.04 (52)13848% (14)2364.21 (29)#96 (.2)45% (114)23.641% (53)49% (133)4.33 (125)39.50.81.2
MD#85 (.15)40% (100)23.539% (105)2.83 (88)10641% (80)2563.39 (100)#58 (.13)44% (101)26.546% (105)43% (81)3.6 (62)55.81.21.8
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ILL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
MD0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILL Offense1329.426.647.8%4.210.8213741382363.951%48%48%48%16%.21
MD Defense1226.527.344.2%3.61.8 - - - - - 53%45%46%43%14%.13
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ILL Defense1323.635.645.2%4.331.2 - - - - - 44%54%41%49%15%.2
MD Offense1223.526.340.1%3.391.2183611062564.235%64%39%41%14%.15

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Illinois1330:5421.242%57%4.639.50.81.24.92.2130.3
Maryland1226:5818.337%36%655.81.21.85.42.3429.5
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ILL Offense1351% (59)48% (15)35.2138.23.921 (40).08 (87)3.04 (52)73% (56)10% (87)0.8 (131)
MD Defense1253% (107)46% (105) - - - - .13 (89)3.06 (102)77% (106)8% (116)0.9 (39)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ILL Defense1344% (10)41% (53) - - - - .07 (50)2.88 (70)75% (97)9% (80)0.92 (51)
MD Offense1235% (136)39% (105)25.3105.54.29 (107).04 (110)2.83 (88)73% (61)6% (5)1.02 (48)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILL Offense1348% (76)48% (14)19.328.6235.88.212.223 (33)6 (7).41 (21)1.6 (56)29% (34)37% (14).37 (43)6% (51)1.9 (111)
MD Defense1245% (32)43% (81) - - - - - - 19 (1).16 (31)1.6 (75)29% (108)32% (101).32 (85)6% (62)1.9 (37)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ILL Defense1354% (122)49% (133) - - - - - - 6 (123).32 (102)1.3 (5)28% (126)36% (130).39 (112)6% (67)2 (62)
MD Offense1264% (1)41% (80)23.740.9255.76.310.818 (61)9 (20).23 (77)1.5 (100)34% (118)37% (17).46 (19)8% (125)2 (81)

Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 9.00  #28
Illinois's Offense Rating: 16.72  #27
Illinois's Defense Rating: 12.72  #36
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00  #30
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Illinois's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.9  #24
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.3  #27
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #41

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 9.00   Maryland: 4.64

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Illinois: 12.9   Maryland: 0.6




Maryland's Power Ratings
Maryland's Power Rating: 4.64  #50
Maryland's Offense Rating: 13.02  #52
Maryland's Defense Rating: 14.34  #49
2026 Talent Rating: 832.00  #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Maryland's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Maryland's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 0.6  #75
Maryland's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.4  #90
Maryland's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.7  #55

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Illinois Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 26.6
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 35.6

Illinois's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Illinois 31
Maryland 25

Projected Total Points: 56
Maryland Scoring
Offense: 23.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.3
Defense: 26.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 27.3

Maryland's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/15Illinois24Maryland6Illinois -15.5Illinois51.5Under
202310/14Maryland24Illinois27Maryland -13.5Illinois52.0Under
202109/17Illinois17Maryland20Maryland -7Illinois61.5Under
201810/27Maryland63Illinois33Maryland -16.5Maryland56.0Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Maryland211 Overs
Illinois233 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 23 - 12 - 11 - 0
Road Teams2 - 21 - 30 - 11 - 2

(#28) ILL at (#50) MD
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatILLMD
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #28 #50
SP+SP+ #24 #75
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #30 #41
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Illinois on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffMD Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #15 #101
ExplosiveExp #118 #32
PPAPPA #39 #58
PowerPwr #27 #49
SP+SP+ #27 #55
Pts POPPO #29 #62
HavocHav #70 #104
Illinois Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffMD Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #15 #105
Run ExplRExp #131 #39
PPAExp #87 #89
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #52 #102
Stuff RateStuff #81 #101
TackleTak - NR
Illinois Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
ILL OffMD Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #14 #81
Pass ExplPExl #56 #75
PPAExp #21 #31
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #87 #116
DB HavocDB #51 #62
Maryland on Offense
Very Pass heavy Offense 64%, Run: 35%
CategoryCatMD OffILL Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #100 #114
ExplosiveExp #34 #37
PPAPPA #85 #96
PowerPwr #52 #36
SP+SP+ #90 #41
Pts POPPO #100 #125
HavocHav #51 #75
Maryland Run Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 64%, Run: 35%
CategoryCat
MD OffILL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #105 #53
Run ExplRExp #48 #51
PPAExp #110 #50
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #88 #70
Stuff RateStuff #74 #70
TackleTak - NR
Maryland Pass Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 64%, Run: 35%
CategoryCatMD OffILL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #80 #133
Pass ExplPExl #100 #5
PPAExp #77 #102
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #5 #80
DB HavocDB #125 #67
Program Comparison
MD 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

ILL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Maryland Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Illinois beat Maryland last year (24-6)
Illinois beat Maryland in 2023 (27-24)

  
ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Katin Houser (Tr)26940866%33001968.1
Ty Robinson (Tr)2367%770025.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ca'Lil Valentine13161444.725
Kaden Feagin12250774.226
Aidan Laughery7538235.157
Katin Houser (Tr)8519392.314
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Alex Perry (Tr)56840915.064
Jayshon Platt (Tr)46720515.748
Collin Dixon35548515.761
Hudson Clement36454312.627

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matthew Bailey764012
Robert Edmonson (Tr)474150
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Darrell Prater (Tr)214400
William Holmes (Tr)457250
James Thompson Jr.403221
Joe Barna202212
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaheim Clarke301007
James Kreutz304003
Deuce Fillmore (Tr)390003

MD's OC Pep Hamilton (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Malik Washington27347358%29631796.3
Champ Long81650%67014.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Trequan Jones (Tr)10579267.593
DeJuan Williams12850133.940
Malik Washington5531745.873
Iverson Howard3912503.210
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding51667613.146
Chris Durr Jr. (Tr)46513411.249
DeJuan Williams4542619.555
Dorian Fleming4035138.848

View Maryland's Full Roster

MD's DC Ted Monachino (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Daniel Wingate1027221
Carlton Smith642140
Lavain Scruggs641013
Trey Reddick536202
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Sidney Stewart3211772
Zahir Mathis359631
Trey Reddick536202
Nahsir Taylor193220
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dontay Joyner401008
Jamare Glasker326006
Amari Jackson (Tr)70004