College Football Predictions: Miami vs. Maryland Preview

Written by Jake Thompson
Monday, 05 September 2011 00:39

Our preview of the college football game between Miami and Maryland will include predictions on the final score.

College football is back in action and our predictions on the score of the Monday night game between the Miami Hurricanes (0-0) and the Maryland Terrapins (0-0) will hopefully be able to peg down the winner.  These two Big East squads met up last year with Miami taking home a 26-20 victory that really wasn’t as close as the final score might indicate.  The Hurricanes outgained the Terrapins by 249 yards with Maryland scoring a long interception return for a touchdown.

Miami has all sorts of problems heading into this game with suspensions taking a big toll on the starting squad.  Quarterback Jacory Harris, linebacker Sean Spence, defensive back Ray Ray Armstrong, defensive lineman Marcus Forston, defensive lineman Olivier Vernon, wide receiver Travis Benjamin, defensive lineman Adewale Ojorno, tight end Dyron Dye, and wide receiver Aldarius Johnson are all expected to miss time here because of either receiving improper benefits or violating team rules.  If that wasn’t bad enough, top offensive line recruit Seantrel Henderson is out indefinitely with a back injury.

Although the loss of Harris will definitely hinder the Hurricanes, the suspensions to defensive linemen are where I think they struggle most against Maryland.  Miami lost two starters on the D-line to graduation and the duo of Forston and Ojorno were expected to be starters.   Maryland was 4th in the ACC in points scored per game last year and the Terrapins welcome back just about everyone on that side of the ball, including up-and-coming quarterback Danny O'Brien.  The one weakness last year for Maryland was their inability to run the ball, and I expect them to find some openings against this depleted Miami defensive line.

On top of the suspension to Harris, suspended wide receivers Benjamin and Johnson were expected to be difference makers for the Hurricanes’ offense.  Maryland is very experienced on the defensive side of the ball and welcomes back just about everyone from last year’s balanced and effective squad.  The Hurricanes should still be able to put a decent running game together but it wouldn’t surprise me if they make some mistakes when trying to pass the ball.

A quick preview of the college football betting odds shows that the home-team Terrapins are favored by 4 on the point spread with a total of 46.5.  Miami opened up as 4-point favorites before the suspensions were announced, so the swing has been fairly massive.  The Hurricanes usually get plenty of support from the betting public but I’m not really sure how this line will move before kickoff time with all the question marks surrounding the Miami vs. Maryland game.

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Former Connecticut coach Randy Edsall takes over as the head man in Maryland and the look of the offense should change with the swap.  Edsall likes to establish the running game more than former coach Ralph Friedgen and I think he’ll have some success against the Hurricanes.  Miami’s roster is just too limited to come out on top here and I’m looking for the home team to cover the point spread in a close game that sees Maryland pull away a bit in the 2nd half.

Miami vs. Maryland Score Prediction:

Miami 17

Maryland 24