Maryland vs. Minnesota Total Pick
Will Minnesota and Maryland find themselves in a defensive battle when the two Big Ten foes meet up today at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Minnesota is favored at home, as the Golden Gophers are getting odds of -13 points against Maryland. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 43.5 points. Minnesota won last year’s meeting 31-10 on the road and the two went under the 47-point total. These two meet today from TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the contest will air on FS1.
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Texas is coming off a 38-10 loss at home to Central Florida to fall to 2-1 on the year. The Terps are 2-1 with the over, hitting it in both of their wins. Maryland is allowing 32 points and 403.3 yards per game on defense while averaging 41.3 points and 404.3 yards on offense. The Terps have been injury plagued at quarterback, as Tyrrell Pigrome was lost for the season against Texas and Kasim Hill was lost for the year last week. Both players suffered a torn ACL. Max Bortenschlager will take over the offense. He has thrown for 136 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions this season. D.J. Moore has 22 receptions for 313 yards and four touchdowns. Ty Johnson is the leading rusher with 281 yards and three touchdowns.
Minnesota is off to a 3-0 start in non-conference play while going 2-1 with the under. The Gophers are allowing just 8 points and 239 yards per game on defense, including only 59 rushing yards per game. Offensively, Minnesota is putting up 33 points and 387.3 yards per game. The ground game has been the strength of the Gophers, as Rodney Smith has 275 yards while Shannon Brooks has added 160 yards and four touchdowns. Conor Rhoda has thrown for 456 yards and two touchdowns. Most of his yards have went to Tyler Johnson. He has 12 catches for 282 yards and both touchdowns.
The Maryland offense is likely to be in shambles today, now having to turn to its third-string QB as its full-time starter. The Minnesota defense has already proven it can shut opponents down and I expect it to do the same today. The Gophers aren’t quite at full speed on offense, as they are still learning the new scheme of coach P.J. Fleck. Expect some sloppiness on that end that will help keep the total low.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: MARYLAND/MINNESOTA UNDER 43.5