Maryland QB Malik Washington questionable as Wisconsin's report rules out Cai Bates

Maryland may not have its starting quarterback when Wisconsin comes to College Park on Saturday. The Big Ten's first availability report for the Nov. 14 game lists Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington as questionable, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. He is the biggest name on a long Maryland list.

The Terrapins' problems go well beyond the quarterback. Running backs DJ Samuels and Harry Dalton III are ruled out, and a third back, Liam Willson, is questionable. That leaves Maryland's backfield short just as it may need to lean on the run. Linebacker Zahir Mathis, receiver Josiah Teasley and offensive lineman Trevor Szymanski are also out, and defensive lineman Dontay Joyner is doubtful. Both kickers, Sean O'Haire and Daniel Leahy, are listed as questionable, along with defensive back Jamare Glasker and linebackers DD Holmes and Daruis Grimes.

Wisconsin has a shorter list, but it still has holes to fill. Cornerback Cai Bates, offensive lineman Kevin Heywood and tight end Emmett Bork will not play. Running back Nate Palmer and offensive lineman Barrett Nelson are doubtful, and safety Carson Van Dinter is questionable. Cornerback Jai'mier Scott and defensive lineman Junior Poyser are listed as probable. On3's Badger Blitz pointed out that those two are new to the Badgers' report this week. With Bates out and Scott and Van Dinter both carrying tags, the Wisconsin secondary is the group to watch on the next report.

What it means for Saturday

Wisconsin arrives at 6-3 after a 31-10 home win over Rutgers, in which Ryan Hopkins threw a 66-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jacob Harris. The Badgers have been uneven away from Camp Randall. They won 24-20 at Penn State but lost 17-7 at UCLA and were shut out 30-0 at Iowa two weeks ago. Their defense has been the steadier unit, holding five opponents to 10 points or fewer.

Maryland is 3-6. The Terrapins ended a five-game losing streak with a 34-29 win at Purdue, but they are 1-4 at home, and their only home win came against Hampton. During the slide they gave up 37 or more points four times, including 54 to UCLA and 48 at Nebraska. If Washington cannot play and the running back room stays thin, Maryland will have a hard time scoring enough to keep up.

The market has Wisconsin favored. Novig lists the Badgers at -317 on the moneyline, almost exactly the best price available anywhere, Polymarket's -316. Maryland is +292 at Novig. The spread shows more disagreement. Novig has Wisconsin -9.5 at even money, while FanDuel has the Badgers at -7.5 for -120, a two-point gap across the 12 venues on the board. The total is 42.5 at Novig, and Hard Rock Bet offers 43.5 on the under at -120. Sportsbook hold on the moneyline runs from 3.6% to 6.1%.

The spread could move once the final availability report shows whether Washington will play. Kickoff is Saturday on FS1.