(Photo via Maryland Athletics)

Maryland football did not get anywhere near the start to the flavor that they wanted, losing 43-3 to the Northwestern Wildcats. But nearly everything went wrong, let's examine the numbers to see what exactly happened to Maryland on Saturday night.

Before I start, allow me explain ane of the stats I'm going to use, Expected Points Added (EPA). EPA is a better way to understand what happens in a football game based on the situation.

First, information technology takes out garbage time and only looks at when games are actually competitive. EPA then takes into business relationship several components that aren't factored into a box score. Those crucial factors are field position, downwards and distance. In a standard box score, a four-yard proceeds is just that, a 4-chiliad proceeds.

Yet, there's more than context that needs to be added. If you lot gain 4 yards on 3rd and 3, that's much more impactful than gaining four yards on 3rd and 15. The same can exist said for field position. Yards are harder to go nearly the goal line, therefore gaining yardage there is  more valuable than information technology would exist at midfield. The same method of thinking applies in reverse. Losing yards backed up near your end zone is much more costly than yardage lost at the 25 k line.

EPA takes this into account in its methodology. If a histrion'southward EPA is positive, they are contributing towards their squad scoring points. If their EPA is negative, they're pain the squad on offense. CollegeFootballData is a great resources for this statistic. Nonetheless, they classify the term as PPA (Predicted Points Added).

-2.3 PPA

-2.3 PPA is an atrocious effigy for a quarterback. Unfortunately information technology's what happens when you lot only complete 56% of your passes for 94 yards, null touchdowns and three interceptions. Maryland's quarterback struggles are well-documented. However, Tagovailoa has the potential to break that curse and go a reliable signal-caller in Locksley's organization.

Tagovailoa'south 2.iii rating was the worst performance by any Big Ten quarterback in Week i. In social club for the Terrapins to accept success that number needs to drastically improve.

-4 turnover differential

Maryland cannot compete in the Big X if they lose the turnover battle past such a wide margin. A young team needs to put themselves in advantageous situations, and turning the brawl over does the exact opposite. It takes away possessions and often gives the opposing squad practiced field position. Maryland's three interceptions and fumbled outset gave Northwestern great field position and momentum.

Those turnovers contributed towards the Wildcats boilerplate field position being at their own 32 yard line, compared to the 25 yard line for Maryland.  Although that vii-chiliad departure may not seem impactful, it gave Northwestern an average increase of .v expected points on each drive before it began. Losing both the field position and turnover battle, those mistakes proved costly for Maryland.

1 game

A 40-point loss and a iii interception outing from the quarterback is a tough way for Maryland to start the flavour. Despite the struggles, it'due south just one game.  Maryland has enough of talent on the team, particularly at the skill positions. Junior wide receiver Dontay Demus Jr. was constructive on Saturday, leading the team with a ane.nine PPA. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jeshaun Jones has displayed the ability to create explosive plays. Freshman Rakim Jarrett is a five-star recruit, some other talented perimeter player for Maryland.  All of these talented skill players provide optimism that Maryland'southward players and coaches can rebound from their mistakes moving forwards.