Maryland Terrapins at #13 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Bobby Dodd Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, October 8, 2011, 12:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: Georgia Tech -14
Current Line: Georgia Tech -14
Opening Total: 61 1/2
Current Total: 63
Opening Money Line: Georgia Tech -550 / Maryland +450
Current Money Line: Georgia Tech -550 / Maryland +450

 

The 2-2 Maryland Terrapins travel to the 5-0 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Saturday in ACC  action. Both teams are undefeated in conference. Maryland is 1-0 with a season opening win over Miami 32-24. Georgia Tech has conference wins over North Carolina 35-28 and last week at North Carolina St 45-35. Maryland, coached by Randy Edsall, also has a win over Towson last week 28-3. That victory followed a 2 game losing streak for the Terps at then #18 West Virginia 37-31 and home 38-7 to Temple.  Georgia Tech, coached by Paul Johnson has wins over Western Carolina 63-21, at Middle Tennessee St 49-21, and at home versus Kansas 66-24. Georgia Tech leads the series 13-6 against Maryland, including wins in 3 of the last 4. The teams haven’t played since 2007 when Maryland won 28-26.

Maryland had a ho-hum victory last week at home versus Towson 28-3. Towosn actually had more yards than Maryland 378to 335. However, Towson also had 7 penalties and 4 turnovers which prevented them from potentially pulling off the upset. Terrapin quarterback Danny O’Brien threw 2 touchdown passes in the win.

The Terrapins are averaging 387.8 total yards and 24.5 points a game. Maryland is averaging 242 passing yards a game. Maryland has allowed 3 sacks this year and has  turnovers. Maryland is 24/62 on third and forth down conversions, and is 15/20 scoring in the red zone with 10 touchdowns.  Maryland is allowing 412.5 yards and 25.5 points a game. The Terps are allowing 177.5 rushing yards a game. They have forced 12 turnovers and 10 sacks. Maryland opponents are 29/62 on third and fourth down conversions, and 13/15 scoring in the red zone with 8 touchdowns.

O’Brien is 96/150 passing with 913 yards, 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, along with 15 carries for 27 yards. Running back Davin Meggett has 65 carries for 327 yards and one touchdown, along with 10 catches for 81 yards. Justin Pickett has 24 carries, 111 yards, and 1 touchdown.  D.J. Adams has 18 carries  for 76 yards and 3 touchdowns. Receiver Kevin Dorsey has 26 catches, 308 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Kerry Boykins and Matt Furstenburg also get significant targets.  Kicker Nick Ferrera is 9/9 on extra points and 5/8 on field goals with a long of 32 yards. Maryland has 8  players that are out indefinitely or for the season  Most are reserves but it hurts the Terrapins nonetheless.

Georgia Tech was up 45-21 with 5 minutes to go in the fourth quarter last week at North Carolina St, and seemed well on their way to an easy cover. However, NC State scored two late touchdowns to get a push on the 10 point spread 45-35. Georgia Tech had 413 total yards including 296 rushing yards. Orwin Smith had 3 rushing touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets. Quarterback Tevin Washington threw 2 touchdown passes as well. NC State had 387 total yards including 195 rushing yards. Both teams had a turnover.

Georgia Tech is averaging a staggering 587 total yards a game including 378.2 rushing yards a game.  The Yellow Jackets have the number two total offense, #1 rushing attack and #2 scoring offense in the nation with 51.6 points a game. Even the passing offense is averaging 208.8 yards a game. The Yellow Jackets have 6 turnovers and have allowed 3 sacks. Georgia Tech is 42/68 on third and fourth down conversions, and 24/27 scoring in the red zone with 21 touchdowns. Georgia Tech is allowing 344.8 yards and 25.8 points a game. Teams are running for 145 yards a game against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have forced 9 turnovers and 14 sacks. Tech opponents are 36/79 on third and fourth down conversions, and 15/17 scoring in the red zone with 14 touchdowns.

Washington is 31/54 passing for 938 yards and 10 touchdowns and an interception, along with 63 carries for 189 yards and 4 touchdowns. Georgia Tech has 24 rushing touchdowns in 5 games this season.  Smith has 28 carries for 423 yards and 7 touchdowns, along with 6 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown. David Sims has 52 carries for 349 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with a touchdown catch on his only reception of the year. Roddy Jones has 21 carries, 220 yards, and 2 touchdowns, along with 4 catches, 116 yards, and 3 touchdowns.  Synjyn Days has 40 carries for 219 yards, and 4 touchdowns.  Receiver Stephen Hill has 15 catches, 502 yards, and 4 touchdown catches. Hill is listed as probable with a hamstring injury. Kicker Justin Moore is 34/34 on extra points and 4/6 on field goals with a long of 40 yards.

Georgia Tech is 4-0-1 against the spread this season and all games have gone over the total. Maryland is 1-3 ATS this season and the total is 2-2 this season. The Terrapins are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 conference games, 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games as an underdog of 10.5 points or greater, and 8-18 ATS in their last 26 following a straight up win. Georgia tech is 3-0-1 in their last 4 on grass, 5-1 ATS in their last 6 as a home favorite and 4-1 in the last 5 as favorite of 10.5 points or more.

This could get ugly in a hurry. Maryland is near the bottom of the country in rush defense and the Georgia Tech rushing attack is the best in the country. Georgia Tech could reach the 63 point total by themselves, and giving two touchdowns at home is a good value. Unless Georgia Tech is blinded by Maryland’s gaudy uniforms, the Yellow Jackets should roll.

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