Maryland Terrapins vs. #12 Cal Golden Bears Betting Preview 10:00 PM ET
CFB bettors have to stay up late Saturday night to take in a good old fashion NCAAF betting match-up between the ACC and PAC 10 when the Maryland Terrapins (8-5, 7-6 ATS in 2008) and California Golden Bears (9-4, 9-4 ATS in 2008) get it on in Berkeley. HC Ralph Friedgen’s kids last took the field in the Humanitarian Bowl against the Nevada Wolfpack; they won an entertaining thriller on the “Smurf Turf” by a 42-35 final tally as 2.5-point underdogs. Cal too went bowling and faced a determined Miami Hurricanes club in the Emerald Bowl; they won 24-17 but failed to cover as 10-point chalk.
HC Jeff Tedford’s Bears currently sit as lofty 21-point favorites in tonight’s match-up with the game ‘total’ set at 50.5. Both side and ‘total’ can be wagered upon at Bookmaker.com right now!
Maryland had a decent ’08 campaign, but it could have been much better. At one point last season, they were 7-3 and in the ACC Title game hunt. They then went on to get smashed at home by Florida State (37-3) and then lost a tough one in Chestnut Hill against Boston College (28-21). 2009 looks to be a rebuilding year for this program with just nine starters returning (fewest in ACC) and just 56% of their lettermen back. While there is some talent littered throughout both sides of the ball, the Terps are vastly inexperienced and will go through growing pains at the onset of the season.
Cal’s been one of the few teams that’s hung with the USC Trojans throughout their recent dominance of the PAC 10, and HC Jeff Tedford believes he might have the team to actually get over the hump in ’09. With 15 returning starters back, some believe they have the talent on hand to not only overtake USC in the PAC 10, but also vie for the National Championship. RB Jahvid Best is back for his junior campaign after leading the conference in rushing with 1580 yards (SICK 8.1 YPC); he also hit pay dirt 15 times. Look for his explosiveness in the backfield to make QB Kevin Riley’s job that much easier throughout the entirety of the 2009 season.
Cal took the Terrapins on in College Park in their third game of the year last season. The Terps took even more advantage of their cross country flight by moving the game time up to noon, which was the equivalent of 9 AM Cal time. Before the Bears could wipe the crust from their eyes, they were down 21-3. They fought back valiantly, but when it was all said and done, the Terps won outright by a 35-27 final count as 14-point underdogs.
The Terps have won five straight season openers, but they’re just 6-16 SU their L/22 openers as a visitor. They’re also a poor 4-7 SU & 3-8 ATS in their L/11 road games; as a road underdog of 21 or more points since 1992, Maryland is 0-8 SU & just 2-6 ATS. Cal is 8-1 ATS its L/9 home games and 10-4 ATS its L/14 overall.
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