Washington vs Maryland Prediction, Picks, Odds & How to Watch Saturday Big Ten Action

By Brady Trettenero in College Football
Published:

- Washington is a 5.5-point road favorite against Maryland in Week 6 Big Ten action
- The Huskies are 0-5 in Big Ten road games under Jedd Fisch
- Read below for Washington vs Maryland prediction, picks, odds, and how to watch
The unbeaten Maryland Terrapins (4-0) host the Washington Huskies (3-1) in a Saturday afternoon Big Ten clash. Washington makes the cross-country trip after getting thumped 24-6 by Ohio State, while Maryland had two weeks to prepare following their 27-10 win over Wisconsin.
The Week 6 college football odds tell us which way the big-money bettors are leaning. Washington opened as -7.5 favorites, but the line has dropped to -5.5 as sharp money backs the home team.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM EDT from SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland, with BTN on the call. Let’s get into my Washington vs Maryland Prediction for Saturday.
Washington vs Maryland Prediction
- Spread Pick: Maryland +5.5 (-104 at FanDuel)
- O/U Pick: Under 52.5 (-104 at FanDuel)

I’m backing Maryland to cover this number, and here’s why. The Terps have been dominant defensively, allowing just 10.8 points per game. They’ve forced 8 interceptions through four games (tied for second-most in FBS) with two returned for touchdowns. Add in 16 sacks, and you’ve got a defense that creates havoc.
Yes, their schedule has been soft. Maryland ranks 176th in strength of schedule according to Sagarin. But Washington’s offensive line has major issues, surrendering 12 sacks already. That’s bad news against a Maryland front that averages 4 sacks per game. Sidney Stewart leads the charge with 4 sacks and ranks fifth among Power Conference players with 19 QB pressures.
The road struggles for Washington are well-documented. They’re 0-5 in Big Ten road games under Fisch, getting outscored 176-78. Demond Williams Jr. just had his worst game as a starter with 173 passing yards and zero touchdowns against Ohio State. Now he faces another tough defense on the road.
Maryland hasn’t trailed for a single second this season. They’re one of just three FBS teams with that distinction, joining Miami and Texas Tech. The Terps have allowed just 10 first-half points all year. When you control games like that, you don’t need explosive offense to cover numbers.
The travel factor matters too. This is Washington’s longest trip of the season, and while the 12:30 PM local kickoff helps with jet lag, cross-country flights are never easy. Since 2015, Washington is 38-0 when winning the turnover battle, but Maryland is +7 in turnover margin this year.
I see this as a 24-21 type game. For my Washington vs Maryland prediction, I’m picking the Terrapins to cover the spread at home due to their defense keeping this game close.
Washington vs Maryland Odds
Washington opened as 7.5-point favorites before sharp action pushed it down. The total moved from 51.5 to 52.5 as the public expects points.

MARYLAND
Odds as of October 4. Bettors in the Old Line State can bet on the Terrapins at Bet365 Maryland.
Terps Defense Sets the Tone
Maryland’s defense has put up ridiculous numbers through four games. Eight interceptions lead the Big Ten, and their 16 sacks rank fifth nationally. They’ve tackled opponents for losses on 40% of red zone rushing attempts, third-best in FBS.
The competition hasn’t been great, but you can only play who’s on your schedule. Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, Towson, and Wisconsin aren’t exactly murderer’s row. Still, holding opponents to 10.8 points per game shows discipline and execution.
Freshman QB Malik Washington has managed the offense efficiently, throwing for 1,038 yards with an 8-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He ranks fourth among FBS freshmen in completions (80) and fifth in passing yards. The ground game needs work, though at just 102.8 yards per game, including a brutal 61-yard performance on 2.7 yards per carry against Wisconsin.
Shaleak Knotts has been a red zone monster, scoring touchdowns on 5 of his 14 receptions (35.7%). No FBS player with at least 12 catches has a higher touchdown percentage.
Huskies Can’t Win on the Road
Washington’s offense looked completely out of sync against Ohio State. They managed just 1-for-11 on third downs after entering the game with a 75% conversion rate, best in FBS. The Buckeyes forced three punts, matching Washington’s total from their first three games combined.
Williams still ranks second among FBS underclassmen at 10.57 yards per attempt, and he’s been efficient with a 186.3 passer rating. Jonah Coleman has been productive with 417 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns, ranking fourth in FBS with 154.8 all-purpose yards per game.
But those road numbers are scary. Since 2019, Washington is 32-1 when outrushing opponents but just 17-24 when getting outrushed. Maryland allows only 92.3 rushing yards per game and has surrendered just one rushing touchdown on 148 carries this season, fifth-best among Power Conference teams.
Denzel Boston has a 17-game streak with at least 25 receiving yards, but he managed just 26 against Ohio State. The offensive line’s protection issues mean Williams won’t have time to find Boston downfield.
How to Watch Washington vs Maryland
This Big Ten matchup kicks off at 3:30 PM EDT from SECU Stadium in College Park. BTN has the broadcast, with tickets starting at $32 for those wanting to see it live.
The weather looks perfect with temperatures around 78 degrees. Both teams should be fully rested, though the Terrapins have a slight advantage. Maryland is coming off a bye after beating Wisconsin two weeks ago, while Washington got the usual week off after their Ohio State loss.
This marks just the second meeting ever between these schools. Washington won 21-20 in the 1982 Aloha Bowl when “Maneater” by Hall and Oates topped the charts. Different times, different conferences, but both teams now call the Big Ten home.
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Lead NHL & NCAAF Editor
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.