The Maryland Terrapins finally are finding their groove on the gridirons of the Big Ten after a seven-year learning curve that meant a lot more defeats than victories in their new conference.
This has perked up Terps fans and is sparking interest in the team in Maryland sports betting.
Coming off three consecutive bowl wins and 23 victories (to 16 losses) under sixth-year head coach Mike Locksley, the Terps find themselves fairly high when it comes to recruiting rankings in the newly expanded Big Ten.
Out of now 18 teams, Locksley and company have posted the sixth-best average recruiting class ranking (per 247 Sports) since 2020, at 31.0. Maryland ranks behind only Ohio State (4.0 class ranking), Oregon (8.6), Michigan (13.0), Penn State (14.2) and Nebraska (24.8).
Maryland also is ahead of a host of Big Ten and Pac-12 expats, such as USC (33.2), Wisconsin (33.4), Washington (41.0) and UCLA (50.4) — speaking to the strength that Locksley’s built in College Park.
For the 2024 season, the Terps’ stand at +40000 at ESPN BET Maryland to win the program’s first national championship since 1953.
With all that in mind, BetMaryland.com – your source for Maryland betting apps - broke down Maryland’s recruiting class ranking against the 18-team Big Ten landscape since 2020 to match what Locksley’s done on the trail up against conference foes.
Big Ten Recruiting Ranks (2020-2024)
Here is the average national ranking of all Big Ten football programs in recruiting, according to 247 Sports:
Maryland Among Best Recruiters in New Big Ten
Of the 18 teams that make up the new Big Ten, Maryland’s average 247 Sports class ranking is 31.0 between 2020 and 2024. That ranks sixth overall, sandwiched between No. 5 Nebraska (24.8) and No. 7 Iowa (32.4).
Maryland ranks above USC (33.2), Wisconsin (33.4), Michigan State (35.4), Washington (41.0) and Minnesota (41.4), a testament to the strength that Locksley’s built on the recruiting trail since arriving in College Park in 2019.
On the field, UM’s current three-year bowl streak ranks in a tie with Ralph Friedgen’s runs from 2006 to 2008 and 2001 to 2003 as the longest in modern Maryland history. Locksley still has a way to go to catch the school’s all-time record of six bowls in a row under head coach Jerry Claiborne between 1973 and 1978.
For now, Locksley and the Terps are looking forward to a 2024 football schedule that includes non-conference games against UConn and Villanova at home, offset by a road game in Charlottesville against former ACC rival Virginia.
Throw in Big Ten home games against Michigan State, Northwestern, USC, Rutgers and Iowa, along with road clashes against Indiana, Minnesota, Oregon and Penn State, and you have the full picture of what awaits the Terps in Year Six of the Locksley era in College Park.
When the season starts, have Maryland sports betting promos nearby if you are considering a wager on Big Ten football.
