Maryland at Miami Line
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
This Saturday the Miami Hurricanes get ready to host the Maryland Terrapins in ACC action. The Hurricanes hopes for a Coastal Division title took a huge hit last week, as Miami lost 24-19 to a struggling Virginia team. The Terrapins had a much better week, with a 62-14 win over Wake Forest. If you are thinking about betting on the game this weekend, the current odds have the Hurricanes favored by 8.5-points over the Terrapins at home.
Maryland (6-2, 3-1 ACC): The Terrapins have quietly put together a pretty nice season, but will have their hands full in the final four games of the season, as they have to go on the road next week to Virginia before hosting Florida State and North Carolina State in back to back weeks. At 3-1 in Atlantic Division the Terrapins could tie Florida state for the lead this week, as the Seminoles are on a bye.
The Terrapins have the 92nd ranked offense in the country, averaging just 323 yards a game, but come in 37th in points scored, averaging 31.5 points a game. A big reason for that is the Terrapins have really benefited in the turnover battle. Maryland has just five turnovers all season, while their opponents have turned it over 15 times. Miami comes into the game having forced at least two turnovers in all but one game this season.
Last week the Terrapins ran for 261 yards, as Davin Megget and DJ Adams combined for 178 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries. Look for Maryland to focus on the run early in this one, as Miami comes in ranked 68th in the country allowing 157.5 yards a game.
Miami (5-3, 3-2): Everything went down hill for the Hurricanes after star quarterback Jacory Harris was knocked from the game with a concussion in 0-0 game. After that Virginia scored 24 unanswered points to take what seemed like complete control of the game, but Miami made things interesting with 19 straight points in the fourth quarter, but were unable to make a stop on defense to give the offense one more shot.
Harris hasn’t been ruled out for this week’s game against Maryland, but if he is unable to go Stephen Morris will be the starter. The Hurricanes had planned on redshirting Morris this season, but once backup Spencer Whipple threw two interceptions on his first six attempts, Miami decided winning this game was more important than keeping Morris out. Morris finished the game 9 for 22 for 162 yards with two touchdowns to two interceptions.
As bad as the offense was last week, the Hurricanes defense did not play up to its capabilities, and if they don’t figure things out during practice this week, they could be headed for another disappointing loss.
Looking at the Odds: I would stay away from betting on this game until you know for sure whether or not Harris is going to play. I really like the Hurricanes to cover the 8 point spread if Harris suits up, but if he is unable to go then this game is one I would just stay away from. Miami’s defense figures to play much better at home, but if the backup quarterback play doesn’t improve the Hurricanes could be in trouble as well. My final score prediction (assuming Harris plays) Miami 34, Maryland 20.
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