The annual Maryland-Michigan State clash, a Big Ten staple since 2014, takes a neutral-site twist in Week 14 as the Maryland Terrapins (4-7, 1-6 Big Ten) face the Michigan State Spartans (3-8, 0-7 Big Ten) at Ford Field. Michigan State, under Jonathan Smith in year two, enters desperate for a first conference win after a dismal 0-7 league mark, capped by a 31-13 home loss to an unranked foe on November 23—the Spartans’ longest Big Ten skid since 2005. Maryland, Mike Locksley’s squad clinging to faint bowl hopes, hosts with pride after jumping to 4-0 but crumbling in a 4-6 finish, including a 28-17 loss at Penn State on November 16. The Spartans’ depleted backfield (RB Makhi Frazier out) tests Maryland’s opportunistic secondary (top-40 TOs), while the Terrapins’ passing game (led by QB Billy Edwards Jr.) exploits MSU’s leaky coverage—expect Detroit dome intensity, neutral-site neutrality, and a sloppy, low-scoring affair with nothing but morale at stake.
Venue Location
The game shifts to Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan—a neutral-site twist for the rivalry, the first since 2021’s temporary Meadowlands setup. This 65,000-seat domed NFL venue, opened in 2002 and renovated in 2016, hosts college football sporadically and features a vibrant Lions fanbase spillover with temporary Big Ten branding. It’s a 500-mile drive from College Park and 80 miles from East Lansing, drawing a split crowd—neither team has a home edge here, but MSU’s proximity may tilt attendance.
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: FS1 (primary), with streaming on FOX Sports app and Fubo. Radio: Maryland’s 105.9 FM (Terrapin Sports Radio Network); Michigan State’s 920 AM (Spartan Sports Network).
Weather Updates
As a domed venue, external weather has no impact on gameplay. Detroit’s forecast for game day: Partly cloudy with highs around 48°F (9°C) and lows near 35°F (2°C), light winds 5-10 mph from the northwest, and 20% chance of flurries. Tailgates stay mild and dry—indoor climate control ensures a consistent 68-72°F, favoring neither side’s style but amplifying the neutral-site vibe.
Injury Report
Both teams are banged up, with Michigan State’s backfield decimated and Maryland’s secondary shuffled. Updates as of November 28.
Maryland Terrapins:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| L. Irvin III | CB | Out | Undisclosed | Starting corner (2 INTs); thins secondary (team allows 240 pass yds/game, 80th nationally). |
| D. Owens | DL | Out | Undisclosed | Defensive lineman; front seven vulnerable (middling run D). |
| Ryan Manning | WR | Questionable | Undisclosed | Slot receiver (est. 20 rec); limits targets if sidelined. |
| Judah Jenkins | DB | Questionable | Undisclosed | Depth DB; strains coverage. |
| Keyari James | LB | Questionable | Undisclosed | Rotational LB (30 tackles); impacts stop unit. |
| Bud Coombs | RB | Questionable | Undisclosed | Backup RB; overworks lead back in 110th-ranked rush. |
| Solomon Foye | WR | Questionable | Undisclosed | Emerging target (15 rec); hurts YAC. |
| Nicolas | Various | Out | Undisclosed | Depth; no major ripple. |
Overall: Eight players on report; Locksley noted “next-man-up mode,” with QB Billy Edwards Jr. fully healthy but offense ranking 100th scoring (24 PPG).
Michigan State Spartans:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Makhi Frazier | RB | Out | Undisclosed | Starting RB (500 yds, 5 TDs); thins backfield (team ranks 115th rush, 110 YPG). |
| Babalola | Various | Out | Knee | Depth piece; contributes to O-line woes (35 sacks allowed). |
| Wayne Matthews | LB | Out | Undisclosed (carted off earlier) | Tackle leader (est. 40 stops); weakens front seven (bottom-50 run D). |
| 13 Starters (Unnamed) | Various | Out | Various (from earlier report) | Massive depth hit; Smith called it “challenging,” with secondary and skills decimated. |
Overall: 13+ out, per reports; QB Aidan Chiles stable but Spartans 0-7 conf, D allowing 32 PPG.
Player Matchups
Michigan State’s grit (top-80 SP+ offense) meets Maryland’s inconsistency (top-70 defense). Neutral site evens field; keys from previews:
Maryland QB Billy Edwards Jr. vs. Michigan State Secondary: Edwards’ arm (2,200 yds, 15 TDs) carves zones. Spartans’ DBs (75th efficiency) force TOs but leaky. Edge: Maryland—Terrapins 4-1 with Edwards 250+ yds; MSU 1-5 vs. 300+ yd QBs.
Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles vs. Maryland Pass Rush: Chiles’ mobility (400 rush yds) extends plays. Terrapins’ front (top-50 sacks) pressures 25% dropbacks. Edge: Maryland—Spartans 0-5 sacked 3+ times.
Maryland RB Roman Hemby vs. Michigan State Front Seven: Hemby’s burst (800 yds, 8 TDs) exploits gaps. Spartans middling (105th run D). Edge: Hemby—Maryland 3-2 with 150+ rush yds.
Michigan State WR Montrel Johnson Jr. vs. Maryland CBs (Irvin III out): Johnson’s routes (est. 700 yds) test coverage. Terrapins bend (80th passer rating). Edge: Johnson—Spartans 2-3 when WRs hit 150+ yds.
Recent Team Forms
Maryland Terrapins: Locksley’s Terrapins fell 28-17 at Penn State (Nov. 16), with Edwards’ flashes (200 yds) undone by turnovers (10 given last 3). Balanced but fading (24 PPG), D gritty (top-40 scoring). Morale: Bowl fringe—2-3 ATS road.
Michigan State Spartans: Smith’s Spartans lost 31-13 at home (Nov. 23), scoring 18 PPG in slide amid injuries. Offense anemic (20 PPG), D leaky (32 PPG allowed). Morale: Pride play—0-7 conf, 1-4 ATS home.
Series History
Big Ten foes since 2014, Michigan State dominates. All-time: Michigan State leads 11-4 (7-2 home, 4-2 away for Maryland). Last 10: MSU 7-3. Spartans hold after 2024’s W. At Ford Field: N/A (neutral debut). Iconic: 2017’s 17-7 MSU win; Maryland’s 2018 17-7 upset.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2024 | Michigan State | 24-17 | Spartan road win |
| 2023 | Michigan State | 31-19 | Dominant |
| 2022 | Maryland | 27-24 | Terrapin upset |
| 2021 | Michigan State | 20-13 | Defensive |
| 2020 | Michigan State | 27-23 | Close |
Betting Trends
Maryland: 4-7 ATS (36.4%); 2-3 ATS as 4.5+ road dogs. 5-6 O/U; overs in 3/5 away. 2-5 SU as underdog (28.6%). Vs. MSU: 1-4 SU last 5, 2-3 ATS.
Michigan State: 3-8 ATS (27.3%); 1-3 ATS as 4.5+ home faves. 6-5 O/U; overs in 4/6 home. 1-7 SU as favorite (12.5%). Series: 4-1 SU last 5.
Series Trends: Favorite covers 4/5; overs 3/5 (avg. 45 pts). Home teams 3-2 SU recent; MSU 3-1 ATS home vs. MD. Advanced: FPI gives MSU 64.7% win prob. MSU top-80 offensive SP+; Maryland 100th overall.
Game Odds
Maryland Terrapins 48.5
Michigan State Spartans – 4
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
