Northwestern vs. Maryland prediction, odds, line, spread: 2024 Week 7 college football picks from proven model

SportsLine's model simulated Friday's Maryland Terrapins vs. Northwestern Wildcats matchup 10,000 times

The Northwestern Wildcats will look to continue their winning ways in their Big Ten series with the Maryland Terrapins when they meet on Friday in College Park, Md. Northwestern has won three of four previous meetings with Maryland, including a 33-27 victory last season. The Wildcats (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten), who are 2-4 on the road since the start of 2023, are looking to reach their second consecutive bowl game after playing in the Las Vegas Bowl a year ago. The Terrapins (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten), who are 16-10 at home since 2020, are seeking their fourth consecutive bowl-eligible season.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from SECU Stadium. Northwestern is averaging 302.8 yards per game, while Maryland averages 451.4. The Terrapins are favored by 10.5 points in the latest Northwestern vs. Maryland odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 45.5. Before making any Maryland vs. Northwestern picks, check out the college football predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. It has generated a profit of over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks since inception, and is 8-4 on top-rated college football picks over the past two weeks of this season. Anyone who has followed it has seen strong returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Northwestern vs. Maryland. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college football betting lines for the spread, money line and over/under for the Maryland vs. Northwestern game: 

• Northwestern vs. Maryland spread: Maryland -10.5           
• Northwestern vs. Maryland over/under: 45.5 points
• Northwestern vs. Maryland money line: Maryland -427, Northwestern +324
• NW: The Wildcats have hit the first-half money line in seven of their last 10 games (+11.40 units)
• MD: The Terrapins have hit the first-quarter game total over in their last six games at home (+6.15 units)
• Northwestern vs. Maryland: See picks at SportsLine
• Northwestern vs. Maryland streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)

Why you should back Maryland

Redshirt junior quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. has started all five games this season and has been impressive. He has completed 72.3% of his passes for 1,444 yards and 11 touchdowns against just two interceptions. He set a program record for completion percentage by hitting on 28 of 32 pass attempts (87.5%) and a career-high 328 yards against Villanova in a 38-20 win on Sept. 21. He was 20 of 27 for 311 yards and two touchdowns in a 50-7 win over Connecticut on Aug. 31.

Also helping lead the offense is senior wide receiver Kaden Prather. He has had a touchdown reception in three consecutive games, and led the Terrapins with five catches for 66 yards, including a 33-yard TD in the loss at Indiana on Sept. 28. Last season, Prather earned All-Big Ten honorable mention, and was second on his team with five receiving TDs. In 38 career games, including 23 starts, he has 132 receptions for 1,611 yards (12.2 average) and 13 touchdowns. See which team to pick here.

Why you should back Northwestern

Senior running back Cam Porter helps lead the Wildcats rushing attack. He has carried 50 times for 249 yards (5.0 average) and four touchdowns. He has a long run of 44 yards. In the 26-20 double-overtime loss to Duke on Sept. 6, he carried 16 times for 94 yards (5.9 average) and two touchdowns. He carried 15 times for 77 yards (5.1 average) and one touchdown in a 31-7 win over Eastern Illinois.

Senior linebacker Xander Muller helps power the defense. He is tops on the team in tackles with 36, including 19 solo, with one sack and one fumble recovery. He also has four pass breakups. In four seasons at Northwestern, he has registered 252 tackles, including 136 solo, with eight pass breakups, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and five interceptions. See which team to pick here.

How to make Northwestern vs. Maryland picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 45 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Northwestern vs. Maryland, and which side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up over $2,000 on its FBS college football picks since its inception, and find out.