Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Maryland Terrapins
Byrd Stadium, College Park, Maryland
Monday, September 5, 2011, 8:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Miami -5 1/2
Current Line: Maryland -4
Opening Total: 48
Current Total: 46 1/2
Opening Money Line: Miami -190 / Maryland +160
Current Money Line: Maryland -175 / Miami +155

Last season Miami finished 7-6, with a three game losing streak including a 33-17 defeat to Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl. Coach Randy Shannon was fired after a lackluster tenure with the Hurricanes. Miami hasn’t won a conference championship since 2003 when they were in the Big East or a National title since 2001. However, it is still one of the most illustrious jobs in college football. Miami hired Temple Coach Al Golden.

Golden probably thought he was handed the keys to a Porsche that just needed a tune-up and maybe a paint job. However, allegations soon surfaced that Miami players had received improper benefits from convicted felon Nevin Shapiro dating all the way back to when Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson coached the program in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Eight current players were suspended indefinitely by the university until the NCAA ruled on their eligibility, including quarterback Jacory Harris. Harris and 4 other players were suspended for one game, and 3 players were suspended from 4 to 6 games. Now it looks like Golden’s Porsche needs a new transmission.

Miami travels to Maryland in the ACC opener for both teams. Because of the suspensions, Miami went from opening as a 5 1/2 point favorite to currently being a 4 point underdog. It isn’t very often if at all that you will see a 9 1/2 point swing on a football game. It leaves the possibility open for a huge middle if you took Maryland early and Miami late. The series between the two schools is tied 8-8. Miami won last year at home 26-20.

Maryland finished the regular season 8-4 and had a chance to win the ACC Atlantic division title heading into the last week of the season. They even beat East Carolina 51-20 in the Military Bowl to finish 9-4. Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen was named ACC coach of the year, and yet despite all that his contract was terminated. Maryland hired Connecticut coach Randy Edsall, who led the Huskies to the Big East title last year.

Besides losing quarterback Harris, the ‘Canes will also be without wide receivers Travis Benjamin, Aldarius Johnson, and tight end Dyron Dye. The three were expected to be among Miami’s leading receivers this year. Sophomore Stephen Morris will play quarterback against Maryland while Harris serves his suspension. He played in 6 games last year as a freshman and started the last 4 including the bowl game. Morris completed 53.6% of his passes last season for 1,240 yards, 7 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He also had 25 carries, 74 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Lamar Miller is the leading rusher. He had 108 carries, 646 yards, and 6 touchdowns last year. He also had 11 catches for 96 yards. Junior Mike James had 70 carries, 398 yards and 3 touchdowns last year. He also had 13 catches, 56 yards and a touchdown last year. Factoring in graduations, players leaving early and suspensions, Miami will have only two of their receivers last year who made significant catches, not counting the running backs. Senior LaRon Byrd had 41 catches, 441 yards, and a touchdown last year. Sophomore tight end Asante Cleveland  had 8 catches for a 110 yards. However he will get more catches this season at least in the early going  because he is one of the few experienced receivers not suspended or gone from the program.        

Miami’s defense will be without defensive linemen Marcus Forston, Adewale Ojomo, & and Oliver Vernon as well as linebacker Sean Spence and defensive back Ray-Ray Armstrong for the Maryland game. Spence is the only starter but the five are among Miami’s leaders in tackles, tackles for loss, interceptions, and sacks depending on the position. 

Sophomore Danny O’Brien returns to run the Mary;and offense. He had a good year last year as a freshman. O’Brien completed 57% of his passes for 2,438 yards, 22 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Senior running back Davin Meggett had 126 carries for 720 yards, and 4 touchdowns last year along with 6 catches. Sophomore D.J. Adams is the back-up running back but is suspended for this game along with offensive lineman Cody Blue for violating team rules. Adams had 67 carries, 239 yards, and a whopping 11 touchdowns last year. Without Adams their isn’t a lot of experience or depth at tailback behind Meggett. Freshmen Jeremiah Wilson and Justus Pickett will be the backups. The fullback is another freshman Tyler Cierski. The top receivers are Quinton McCree, Kevin Dorsey, and tight end Matt Furstenburg. None had more than 16 receptions last year.

The defense is led by Kenny Tate who moved from safety to outside linebacker in the offseason, Demetrius Hartsfield who moved from will LB to mike, and DL Joe Vellano. The Terps return 12 players who started at least one game last season. The defense will be experienced and could be the strength of the team as the offense must replace some of their top running backs and receivers.

Miami is 4-1 Against the spread in the last 5 as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points, and 5-2 ATS in the last 7 as a road underdog. The Hurricanes are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 conference games, and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. Maryland has covered 6 of their last 7 games overall and 5 of the last 6 conference games. The Terrapins are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games. The under is 6-1-1 in Miami’s last 8 games, and 5-0-1 in their last 6 conference games. The over is 5-1-1 in Maryland’s last 7 home games.

No one knows how Miami will react to the suspensions. They might rally together as a team and put on a strong performance, or they could write this game off as they host Ohio St in two weeks. Maryland has questions of their own. One thing is certain Vegas does not want either team to win by a 1-4 point margin as that would be a disaster.

Check out our college football odds page for the best line on every game. Our college football handicappers are crushing the bookmakers as the first weekend of college football winds down Labor Day night.