Free NCAA Football Prediction: Mountaineers vs. Terrapins Odds
Looking for West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Maryland Terrapins free picks? College football betting sees the Mountaineers taking on the Terrapins on Saturday, September 4 at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 1 predictions like this West Virginia Maryland free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 1
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Maryland Terrapins
Date: Saturday, September 4, 2021
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: Mountaineers -3, Terrapins +3
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: West Virginia -143 | Maryland +119
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 57
Lots of rumors about where West Virginia might land on the conference realignment merry-go-round. They are still in the Big 12 for now though.
Maryland only got five games last season and won 2. They are hoping a lively passing offense gives them some upward mobility in the Big Ten.
I am not sure this is going to be a good game but it does feel like a pretty fair right and a good chance for both programs to get a sense of their strengths and weaknesses.
West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia had the top defense in the Big 12 last season but that was not enough for them to be more than a .500 team on the year. Repeating that is going to be tough too.
Only five starters return but one of them is NT Akheem Medisor. He is a true disruptor upfront and is going to be key to disrupt a good Maryland passing attack.
When WVU has the ball they prefer the air too. Jarrett Doege led the third-best passing attack in the conference and he is careful with the ball too. He does not have a lot of weapons though. It is a lot of dink and dunk.
I like RB Leddie Brown He was able to get to 1000 yards in just 10 games last season. Running the ball might be tough with just 2 offensive linemen returning.
Maryland Terrapins
The Terps were 2-3 last season with a couple of solid wins over Minnesota and Penn State. They had the second ranked passing attack in the Big 10 a year ago.
Taulia Tagovailoa enjoys slinging the ball around but he needs to watch his turnovers. He had just a 7:7 ratio last season and it is going to be hard to win if he is not more efficient.
They lose ther top ruser from a year ago but all 4 top receivers return, which is even more reason to focus on the passing game. Three offensively linemen return to.
The defense is where Maryland needs improvement if they are going to start holding their own in the Big Ten. They gave up 32ppg a year ago. The numbers against the pass were good but they gave up 230ypg on the ground. Teams did not need to throw on them.
Maryland has only won 6 games under coach Mike Locksley. I can see them getting to that total again this season but they probably need this game to get there.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- West Virginia is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing Maryland
- West Virginia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Maryland
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Maryland’s last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Maryland’s last 6 games at home
Free Week 1 NCAA Football Pick
I feel like this one could be an early test of the value of home field. I am not sure the Terps are not the better team and I like them as small dogs at home to start the season.
4* Free Week 1 NCAA Betting Pick: Maryland +3
The key to the game is Maryland being able to throw the ball effectively. If Taulia can do that then I think the emotion of a full stadium for the first time in a while can carry the Terps to an upset victory.
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