The Terrapins are off to a 2-0 start and have reeled off 38 points or more in each of their last two contests for the first time since their 2019 season. Maryland defeated Charlotte 38-20 but was staring at a five-point halftime deficit. Terrapins Head Coach Michael Locksley addressed this game with reporters earlier this week;
“Nobody in that locker room is excited about how we played,” said Locksley.“But we overcame some early adversity, which kind of showed me we’re the type of team that I thought we could be. We battled back after a slow start, and I didn’t see anybody panic.”
The Terrapins returned from the locker room with a vengeance, outscoring Charlotte 29-6 over the final 30 minutes of play to secure their second win of the season.
Maryland RB Roman Hemby scampered for 162 yards and a TD to lead the Terrapins. QB Taulia Tagovailoa threw for 287 yards and one TD but did throw his first two interceptions of the season.
Virginia Looking to Avoid an 0-3 Start
Virginia hopes to avoid its first 0-3 start since the 2016 season. The Wahoos suffered a 36-35 Week 2 home loss to James Madison, in which they were outscored 12-0 over the final 15 minutes. Virginia Head Coach Tony Elliot wasn’t happy with the result and told a group of reporters after the game;
“This one hurts, and it’s gonna hurt for a while,” Virginia coach Tony Elliott said. ” … Do they deserve to win? I believe so because of the people that they are and what they’ve been through, but, unfortunately, the game of football, it’s not a game of [deserving]; it’s about what you earn.”
Virginia managed just 18 rushing yards in the loss. Freshman QB Anthony Colandrea filled in for injured starting QB Tony Muskett and threw for 377 yards and a pair of scoring strikes but did throw one interception. Elliott expects Muskett to play on Friday.
Virginia vs. Maryland Betting Analysis
Maryland opened as -14 point favorites, but that number has moved half a point to -14.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook Maryland.
Virginia allowed 287 rushing yards to Tennessee, and they’ll have to deal with the one-two punch of Hemby and Colby McDonald. The two combined for 235 rushing yards with a pair of TDs against Charlotte, and we should expect a similar result against the Cavaliers on Friday night.
Tagovailoa has thrown for 547 yards with four TDs this season and should be able to pick apart a Virginia defense allowing 220 passing yards per contest. The Virginia defense was lit up for 228 yards last week, and Tagovailoa, along with wideouts Corey Dyches, Jeshaun Jones, and Kaden Prather, should all have big games for Maryland.
Finally, the Terrapins defense ranks 40th in total yards while allowing the 23rd fewest points in the nation. Virginia will struggle on both sides of the ball, and my best bet is for Maryland to cover the -14.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook.
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