SPORTS

Rutgers football vs. Maryland predictions

Ryan Dunleavy
Staff writer
Then-Rutgers linebacker Kevin Snyder (45) celebrates the comeback win against Maryland last season.

PISCATAWAY – Because they came into the Big Ten together as part of East Coast expansion, and because they have finished the last two regular seasons battling head-to-head, the comparisons between the Rutgers and Maryland football programs are natural.

A year ago, both teams were among the biggest surprise success stories in the nation, finishing with winning records and reaching bowl games.

Now, Maryland (2-9, 0-7) has fired coach Randy Edsall and is enduring a miserable season, while Rutgers (4-7, 1-6) has a coach on the hot seat in Kyle Flood and can't stop creating off-field headlines.

But if they are mirroring each other again –  and falling in the line with initial national perception that Maryland and Rutgers would be the doormats of the stacked Big Ten East Division for years to come – Flood hasn't noticed.

Rutgers football vs. Maryland scouting report

"I evaluate us on a year-to-year basis and then over time," Flood said. "Maryland has a good football program with a lot of history. We’re building a Big Ten football program right now. Right now, we’re focused on this week and this week only, but in the offseason I won’t do that either.”

So which program is in better shape? Maybe today's meeting at noon on Big Ten Network will offer some insight.

Gannett New Jersey's team of college sports writers pick the final score for the regular-season finale below.

Ryan Dunleavy: Watching Maryland blow a 21-3 lead and lose 47-28 to Indiana last week reminded me that anything can happen when any two of the bottom three teams in the Big Ten East division meet. Rutgers rallied from 25 points down to meet Maryland last season and then did it again to beat Indiana this season. Rutgers has more to play for – between saving Flood's job and an unlikely bowl berth – so I'll pick the unexpected. Maryland 35, Rutgers 29. 

For Rutgers players, a chance to leave final impression

Steve Edelson: Whether it's Rutgers coach Kyle Flood's final game or not, the Scarlet Knights get a field goal from Kyle Federico as time expires to pull out a Big Ten win. Rutgers will ultimately get a Bowl bid at 5-7. Rutgers 28, Maryland 27.

Jerry Carino: Rutgers squeaks out a win before 30,000 empty seats, but the real news takes place afterward when Kyle Flood announces big news for 2016: Chris Laviano already has won the starting quarterback job and a whole new round of PSAs are in the works. Rutgers 56, Maryland 55. 

Josh Newman: There is a Big Ten football program that is seemingly in worse shape than Rutgers. That program is Maryland and Rutgers gets it at home to close out the regular-season. The slim chance of going to a bowl game at 5-7 is on the table, so Rutgers gets the benefit of the doubt that it will handle business at home. Whether or not deserves that benefit is debatable. Rutgers 21, Maryland 17.

Staff Writer Ryan Dunleavy: rdunleavy@gannettnj.com