Maryland Terrapins at Syracuse Orange
Carrier Dome – Syracuse, Orange
Saturday, September 20, 2014, 12:30 pm Eastern, TV: ACC Network, ESPN Gameplan
Opening Line: Syracuse Pick
Current Line: Syracuse -1
Opening Total: 52
Current Total: 54
Opening Money Line: Syracuse -110 / Maryland -110
Current Money Line: Syracuse -115 / Maryland -105
The 2-1 Maryland Terrapins and 2-0 Syracuse Orange meet Saturday in the Carrier Dome. Syracuse leads the series 19-14-2, including 9-6 in Syracuse. The series dates back to 1920. The Orange have won 5 straight games in the series, including a 20-3 win last season in College Park. The two were both members of the ACC for one year last season before Maryland moved to the Big Ten this year.
Maryland is coached by Randy Edsall. The Terrapins opened the season with a home win over James Madison 52-7 and a road win at South Florida 24-17. However, Maryland lost at home last week to West Virginia 40-37. The Terrapins are 1-2 ATS and the total is 2-1 this season. Maryland was a 3 point favorite against West Virginia and the total was 61.
Syracuse is coached by Scott Shafer. The Orange have a home win over Villanova 27-26 in double overtime 40-3 win last week at Central Michigan. Syracuse is 1-1 ATS and the total is also 1-1 this season. The Orange were 4.5 point favorites against Central Michigan and the total was 50.5.
Maryland is outscoring teams 38-21 this season. The Terrapins are averaging 412 total yards per game including 224 passing yards and 188 rushing yards. On defense Maryland is allowing 418 total yards per game including 275 passing and 142 rushing yards. Maryland has forced 7 turnovers but has 8 of their own. The Terrapins average 47 penalty yards per game and opponents average 60. Maryland is 23/49 on third and fourth down conversions and opponents are 29/74. Maryland has forced 7 sacks and allowed 5 this season. The Terrapins are 9/11 scoring in the red zone with 7 touchdowns and opponents are 5/10 with 4 touchdowns. Maryland has 2 punt returns for touchdowns and has allowed a defensive touchdown.
Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown has completed 54% of his passes for 553 yards with 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, along with 35 carries for 219 yards with 4 touchdowns. Wes Brown has 26 carries for 142 yards, plus 2 catches. Brandon Ross has 26 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown, plus 7 catches for 73 yards. Stefon Diggs has 17 catches for 230 yards and a touchdown. Deon Long has 10 catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. Marcus Leak has 7 catches for 109 yards but two went for touchdowns.
Syracuse is outscoring teams 34-15 this season. The Orange are averaging 392 total yards per game including 180 passing and 213 rushing yards per game. On defense, Syracuse is allowing 303 total yards per game including 191 passing and 112 rushing yards. The Orange are 35th or better in all defensive categories nationally. Syracuse has yet to turn the ball over this season and has forced 2 turnovers. The Orange average 48 penalty yards per game and opponents average 71. Syracuse is 16/32 on third and fourth down conversions and opponents are 15/33. The orange have forced 9 sacks and haven’t allowed one yet. Syracuse is 9-9 scoring in the red zone with 6 touchdowns, and opponents are 5/7 with 2 touchdowns. The Orange have allowed a punt return for a touchdown this season.
Syracuse quarterback Terrel Hunt has completed 63.8% of his passes for 269 yards and a touchdown, and also has 16 carries for 117 yards and 3 touchdowns. Austin Wilson took 17 snaps against Villanova and threw for 89 yards. He didn’t play against Central Michigan. Running back Adonis Ameen-Moore has 19 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown. Prince-Tyson Gully has 18 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown, plus 5 catches. Ashton Broyld has 9 catches for 99 yards.
Maryland is 7-15 ATS against ACC teams, 6-15 after a straight up loss, 2-5 after passing for more than 280 yards, 7-19 after allowing 280 passing yards or more, and 1-4 after allowing more than 450 total yards.
Syracuse is 4-0 ATS after allowing less than 275 total yards, 5-1 against teams with winning records, 9-2 in non-conference games, 7-2 after allowing less than 100 rushing yards, 8-3-1 at home, 8-3 on fieldturf, 5-2 against teams with winning road records, 7-3 after a straight up win, and 13-6 overall.
I am not sure what to make of either of these teams. They both have two wins against lesser competition. Maryland’s defense was shredded by West Virginia for 694 yards including 511 passing yards. Only 4 West Virginia turnovers prevented it from being a blowout. Syracuse isn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut though. I think the Orange win a close low scoring game.
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