Wake Forest-Maryland
Time: 3:30 PM EST, Saturday
Spread: MAR -6
Total: 50
Betting Odds from Bookmaker
WAKE FOREST
The Demon Deacons were the last to fall to an improved Duke squad, losing 34-27 to the offensively minded Blue Devils last week. It was just the second loss of the year, as they dropped their contest in week three to the powerhouse Florida State Seminoles.
They’ll try to get back on track against a Maryland squad, but find themselves underdogs in a game college football oddsmakers have set a six point spread on in the favor the Terrapins.
Back to the Duke game: The Demon Deacons had a shot to win it but Duke’s back up QB scored on a 4-yard TD run with 11:35 left in the game and Wake couldn’t strike back.
Demon Deacons QB Tanner Price finished 19 of 38 for 230 yards with two TDs, but he fumbled it late in the game, which set up the drive that won the game for Duke. Wake was effective on the ground, too, as they rushed for 167 yards, paced by Josh Harris’ 84 yards on 17 carries. They’ll have to continue to establish a dual threat offense to keep the Maryland defense on its toes…Between Price and Harris, they should have the weapons to keep this close, but their defense will likely cost them the game, as they are giving up 33.4 points per game (100th in the nation), and their offense just isn’t good enough to counterbalance such a poor defense.
Wake Betting Trends:
Demon Deacons are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following an SU loss, and they are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 following an ATS win. They are 6-15 in their last 21 on the road and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 on grass.
MARYLAND
The Terrapins have dropped contests both of the last two weeks after starting out 2-0. They beat William & Mary in week one and Temple in week two, but have dropped games to UConn and nationally ranked West Virginia.
It’s hard to say that Maryland is a better squad than Wake, as college football oddsmakers have indicated. They haven’t done much to warrant it, unless staying within striking distance of West Virginia counts. They’re averaging 21.3 points per game and giving up 22.0, so they’re lucky to even be at .500 at this point. Both their pass and rush offense sits near the bottom of the nation (107th and 117th, respectively), so with such mediocre offense, they might not even have enough to make the lackadaisical Demon Deacons’ defense pay for its ineffectiveness.
The Temple win could be called their best performance of the young season. QB Perry Hills threw two TDs and ran for one in that game, and they won by 9 over the Owls. It was great revenge since they lost to Temple by 31 last season, but they almost blew the substantial lead they had at halftime, as Maryland got off to a poor second half start and gave up 24 second half points, while accounting for only 10 of their own.
They led 26-3 at the half, but the blowout never came to fruition. Still, the victory was important for Maryland because it gave them a 2-0 start to the season, and with upcoming games against UConn and Florida State, they needed the cushion.
Improving to 3-2 this week will get them back on track before facing Virginia and NC State the next two weeks.
Maryland Betting Trends:
Terrapins are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing the previous game, and they are 7-16-1 ATS in their last 24 after allowing less than 100 yards rushing. The Terrapins are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games on grass, 0-8 ATS in their last 8 at home, and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 following a bye week.
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