Maryland vs FSU NCAA Football Handicapping
The 25th-ranked Maryland Terrapins climbed into the AP Top 25 in the Week 6 poll, but might not be there for long with a stern test on deck in the form of the No. 8 Florida State Seminoles.
25 Maryland Terrapins (4-0) at 8 Florida State Seminoles (4-0)
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2013
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Venue: Doak Campbell Stadium
City: Tallahassee, Florida
O/U Odds: 57
Spread: Florida State -15
Money Line: Florida State -640, Maryland +500
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Both teams enter this contest at 4-0, but Maryland has compiled their record in non-conference play, and will take a big step up in competition in their ACC opener.
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Maryland is coming off a bye week, which will give them some extra time to prepare for this contest. Prior to the break, Maryland had a very easy time with West Virginia. The Terrapins beat up on the Mountaineers, 37-0 on Sept. 21.
The team ran away with the game, taking a 30-0 lead into the break, holding West Virginia to just two first downs in the first half.
Quarterback C.J. Brown led the offense with a pair of scores, one on the ground and one through the air.
As for the Maryland defense, they had no trouble whatsoever stopping a sluggish Mountaineer offense, recording as many interceptions in the first half as first downs allowed. A.J. Hendy also scored for the defense, returning an interception 28 yards to the house. The unit was very opportunistic, returning another pick inside the West Virginia five yard line, and recovering four fumbles. In the end, Maryland allowed West Virginia to compile only 175 yards of offense and posted the first shutout of the Mountaineers since 2001.
The Terrapin defense will face a tall task this weekend when they try to limit Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, who has thrown his hat into the ring for this year’s Heisman Trophy with his stellar play. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
In his last outing, Winston threw for four touchdowns, including a 55-yard score on a Hail Mary at the end of the first half. That play helped Florida State overcome a slow start, propelling them to a 48-34 win. Winston completed 17 of 28 passes on the day for 330 yards, adding an additional 67 rushing yards on 14 attempts.
Behind Winston’s strong play, the Seminoles are the highest-scoring team in the ACC, eclipsing 40 points in each of their outings.
After spotting the Eagles a 14-point lead, the Seminole defense buckled down, although they surely hoped for a better day. Boston College quarterback Chase Rettig completed 19 of 29 passes for 197 yards and a career high four touchdowns, but he also threw an interception in the fourth quarter that was returned 20 yards by T.J. Williams for a score, one of two interceptions recorded by the Seminoles in the game.
As good as the Seminoles have looked at times, they’ve also had some sloppy moments which a team like Maryland will take advantage of, and West Virginia can attest to the opportunistic nature of the Terrapin defense.
The Terrapins are 6-0 ATS in their last six games overall.
The play: Maryland +15
