Brian King
Maryland football is the bastard step child in the D.C Regions legion of College Football fans. You will find Ohio State fans, Penn State fans and of course Wahoos and Hokies, more than you can stand. But Maryland is the school everyone ignores and pushes to the side.
Not tonight. Ralph Friedgen has turned this program around. I am so impressed with Maryland this year. They have hit the bumps in the road but they have performed at other times in an outstanding fashion. And despite that loss to UVA I think they are the best College Football program in the region (VA / MD / DC) in 2008.
They have the ACC's top rusher in Da'Rel Scott who has a question mark over him tonight but word around College Park is he will be on the field tonight looking to help Maryland get by Virginia Tech. The Hokies meanwhile have concerns of their own with Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon's status in doubt. Not that going to their third string QB would matter for this abysmal Hokies offense. Beamer has relied on defense and special teams all season but tonight he faces a team in Maryland that has its own proud Special Teams unit and a defense that is pretty damn tough (remember that hit on that Cal receiver who threw up on the field...if you have not seen it here it is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFYB9ZEWs94)
Maryland also, unlike Tech, has an offense capable of putting points on the board. A key match up tonight will be Heyward-Bey versus the Tech secondary. If Chris Turner can get the ball to Heyward-Bey and avoid any costly mistakes Maryland will have a fairly easy time tonight.
Prior to dropping three in a row to Tech Maryland had won six straight in the series. Look for the Terps to get the big win tonight and take another step towards an ACC Title shot in a fiercely fought contest that the Terps should at least be able to stay inside the number. In their five games against unranked opponents this year the Terps have only been outscored 110-106. No way a deficient Tech team that is a dismal 0-4 SU and ATS after a bye week runs away with this. Look for Maryland to keep it close with a chance to win it in the fourth quarter. Maryland plus the points is the play tonight.
MARYLAND (+3) 25 Dimes
One of the first lessons I learned was to ride a streak until it ends. I do not always follow this rule. Tonight I will. Thursday Night home dog has been solid all year and we find Utah in that spot tonight. This is a huge game for the school with a planned black out and a capacity crowd in what may be some unpleasant weather conditions.
TCU is a Texas team not acclimated to the environment they find themselves playing in tonight with cold temps and a possibility of snow. This is the Utes house and they find themselves playing for a lot in this game tonight including a continued run at a perfect season and a potential January bowl date. The loser meanwhile will not be playing in January.
TCU is on their second straight road game and traveling on a short week to altitude. I am giving Utah the clear advantage here coming off a short week as well but playing at home off a mistake prone game last week against New Mexico. The Utes had nine penalties a muffed punt and a late interception while threatening in their 13-10 win. We catch them here at a great price off that uninspired effort last week while TCU has been steamrolling opponents on their way to rattling off 5 straight by an average of 28.4 ppg.
Thing is Utah has won nine straight at home, they are averaging 39 ppg, they have a 15-3 SU mark in November including 5-3 on Thursdays. All this and they hold a 4-1 SU advantage over TCU with an average score of 24-15. Meanwhile TCU is just 2-5 SU on Thursdays and their defense will be facing a very stiff challenge from veteran signal caller Brian Johnson and a Utah rushing game that has rushed for 520 yards over their last two games. We will see tonight if TCU is the real deal and their third ranked scoring defense and leading run defense can slow this Utah stampede. The Utes faithful will be out in force and the team that makes less mistakes wins. With Sophomore Andy Dalton at QB I see TCU losing the turnover battle.
Last year Andy Dalton struggled against Utah in a 27-20 Utes victory. He threw four picks in that game and now travels as a sophomore to Utah where the welcome will be anything but friendly. Utah has won four of the five meetings with TCU and everyone is jumping on this TCU bandwagon. Problem is those people are a week late to that party. Utah tonight in a thriller that will be closer than it should. Take Utah and the points to get it done tonight.
UTAH (+1') 25 Dimes