Wisconsin's suffocating defensive effort in the second half of the Badgers' 31-24 win over Maryland last weekend not only shut down any hopes of the Terps snapping their lengthy losing streak but also choked out any possibility of bowl eligibility.
With two wins and three games left, Maryland can't reach the six-win threshold needed to qualify for the postseason.
It's the first time since the injury-marred 2012 season that the Terps won't play in a bowl game. But entering Saturday's contest with No. 13 Michigan State, Maryland isn't letting a postseason absence loom over a season that's already been filled with strife.