Maryland Terrapins at Connecticut Huskies
Rentschler Field – East Hartford, Connecticut
Saturday, September 14, 2013, 7:30 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN3.com
Opening Line: Maryland -7
Current Line: Maryland -6 1/2
Opening Total: 47
Current Total 47
Opening Money Line: Maryland -280 / UConn +240
Current Money Line: Maryland -245 / UConn +205
The 2-0 Maryland Terrapins take on the 0-1 Connecticut Huskies Saturday in East Hartford. Maryland coach Randy Edsall left UConn two years ago for the Terrapins after building the Huskies into a program that contended fro Big East titles. This is the third meeting between the schools with the series tied 1-1. UConn upset Maryland in College Park last year 24-21. This is the first ever meeting between the schools in Connecticut.
Maryland has blowout wins at home over Florida International 43-10 and Old Dominion 47-10. The Terrapins are 2-0 ATS and the total is 1-1. Maryland was a 20.5 point favorite against Old Dominion and the total was 65.5. The two teams traded field goals to start the game, but Maryland would then score 44 unanswered points to take a 47-3 lead. The Monarchs would score a late touchdown to make it 47-10 but it didn’t go over the total. Maryland had 587 total yards including 312 rushing yards. ODU had only 335 total yards and turned the ball over 3 times.
Maryland is outscoring teams 45-10 this season. The Terrapins are averaging 581.5 yards per game including 281.5 rushing yards per game. Maryland is allowing 253 yards per game on defense. Maryland is +2 in turnovers with 5 takeaways. The Terps are 11/28 on third and fourth down conversions. Maryland has forced 9 sacks this season. Maryland is 9-9 scoring in the red zone with 5 touchdowns.
Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown is 34/45 passing (75.6%) for 556 yards with 5 touchdowns and no picks. He also has 15 carries for 135 yards and 4 touchdowns. Running back Brandon Ross has 28 carries, 170 yards and a touchdown, along with 3 catches for 21 yards. Albert Reid has 16 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Stefon Diggs has 11 catches, 277 yards and 2 scores. Deon Long has 12 catches, 134 yards and a touchdown. Twelve Terrapins are listed as questionable, doubtful or out, including 6 defensive players.
UConn is coached by Paul Pasqualoni. The Huskies took last week off after a 33-18 loss at home to FCS school Towson 33-18. Connecticut was a 16.5 point favorite and the total was 47.5. UConn scored first on a 31 yard touchdown pass from QB Chandler Whitmer to Shakim Phillips. Towson tied it up late in the first. The Tigers would add another touchdown midway through the second but missed the extra point to go up 13-7. The Huskies kicked a field goal with just under 2 minutes before halftime to make it 13-10 going into the locker room. Towson scored again with 5 minutes to go in the third but missed another extra point making it 19-10. The Tigers scored again with 5 minutes to go into the fourth and made it 26-10. Whitmer threw another TD pass to Phillips with 3:29 left and made the two point conversion to make it 26-18. Towson would add another score with 16 seconds left to complete the 15 point upset. Connecticut had 290 total yards and 15 first downs. The Huskies had 2 turnovers and Towson had 1. Towson had 393 total yards including 201 rushing yards.
Whitmer completed 16 of 28 passes for 206 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception. Running back Lyle McCombs had 17 carries for 76 yards , along with 5 catches for 18 yards. Receiver Geremy Davis had 5 catches for 100 yards. Phillips had 5 catches for 77 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Maryland is 5-0 ATS after allowing 20 points or less, 4-0 overall, on grass, and after a straight up win of 20 points or more, 5-1 after a straight up win, 4-1 in non-conference games, 5-2-1 against teams with losing home records, and 1-4 after rushing for 200 yards or more.
Connecticut is 4-1 ATS after a double digit home loss, 3-1-1 after allowing 200 rushing yards or more, and against ACC teams, 34-15-2 after scoring less than 20 points, 39-18-1 after a straight up loss, 2-5-1 in September, 2-7-1 in non-conference games, and overall, 1-4-1 at home, after rushing for less than 100 yards, and on grass, and 0-4-1 after failing to cover.
Connecticut struggled to score against a middle of the pack FCS school who won 4 games last year. Maryland has blown out two terrible teams so far. I don’t know if you can put much stock in one game, but I think Maryland is just better right now, and the Terrapins should win going away.
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