Maryland vs. Minnesota Pick
Can Minnesota pick up another sizable win when the Gophers open up Big Ten play at home against Maryland on Saturday at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Minnesota is favored at home, as the Golden Gophers are getting odds of -13 points against Maryland. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 45 points. Minnesota won last year’s meeting 31-10 on the road as a 3-point underdog. These two meet from TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the contest will air on FS1.
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Minnesota is off to a 3-0 start in non-conference play, including a 2-1 mark against the spread. The Gophers have gotten better with each game and are coming off a 34-3 win over Middle Tennessee two weeks ago. The Gophers are allowing just 8 points and 239 yards per game right now, including only 59 rushing yards per game. Offensively, Minnesota is putting up 33 points and 387.3 yards per game. The ground game has been the strength of the Gophers, as Rodney Smith has 275 yards while Shannon Brooks has added 160 yards and four touchdowns. Conor Rhoda has thrown for 456 yards and two touchdowns. Most of his yards have went to Tyler Johnson. He has 12 catches for 282 yards and both touchdowns.
After a big win in the opener at Texas, Maryland then beat Towson 63-17, but fell to Central Florida last week at home, 38-10. The Terps are 2-1 against the spread as well as 2-1 overall. Maryland is allowing 32 points and 403.3 yards per game on defense while averaging 41.3 points and 404.3 yards on offense. The Terps have been very unlucky at quarterback as Tyrrell Pigrome was lost for the season against Texas and Kasim Hill was injured last week and is doubtful for Saturday’s game. Max Bortenschlager is the other QB. He has thrown for 136 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. D.J. Moore has 22 receptions for 313 yards and four touchdowns. Ty Johnson is the leading rusher with 281 yards and three touchdowns.
Minnesota has looked better with each game as the defense is getting better and the offense seems to be working into the new system of P.J. Fleck. Maryland could be a promising team, but the injuries at quarterback have really hampered their ability. I don’t see a third-string QB having a lot of success on the road against this defense. The Minnesota offense should be able to move the ball against the Terps consistently. I like the Gophers to cover with relative ease.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: MINNESOTA -13