Maryland
vs.
Florida State
ACC
College Football
Pick
Betting Trends
10/5/13
We don’t get to see many ACC Games that involve two undefeated teams playing each other anymore, but that’s what we get in this matchup. Maryland has not only won its first Four Games, but it did so by covering in every one. In their last Game, the Terrapins destroyed West Virginia 37-0 as only 3.5-point favorites. The same could be said about Florida State, who looked very good until allowing 34 points to Boston College. The Eagles actually outgained them on the ground which isn’t a good sign.
The Seminoles still come into this one as large home favorites, currently -15.5 at 5 Dimes sportsbook. In Maryland’s only road Game this year, they beat UCONN, whereas Florida State has won its two home Games by a score of 116-13.
The Terps are getting some love on the national level, ranked as the No. 25 team in the AP polls. That’s quite a step up from last year’s debacle when every QB on their roster got hurt. They finally have one healthy (for now) in C.J. Brown and he’s done well. He’s been consistent and precise with 1,043 yards and seven TDs. WR Stefon Diggs has been a monster for him with 400 receiving yards and three TDs, while Deon Long leads the team with 21 receptions. The passing works because Maryland also has a successful running Game. Brandon Ross has had some iffy Games, but at least they’re feeding him the ball as he has 332 yards in Four Games. Brown leads the team in rushing TDs with Four and will likely be forced to move the chains with his legs plenty against FSU.
The betting public has apparently taken notice. They are backing the Terps this week as 69% of the action in this one, at 5dimes.com, as of Tuesday afternoon, has come in on Maryland. Somewhat surprising.
It’s hard to gauge where Florida State is at after going down 14-0 last weekend to Boston College. Still, you know their offense is going to put up points. Maryland allowed 21 points at Connecticut a few weeks ago so one would think the Seminoles can surpass that number.
Jameis Winston has been everything FSU hoped he would be when they signed him. He’s completing 73.6 percent of his passes for 1,048 yards and 12 TDs through the first Four Games. EJ Manuel was great, but Winston will likely be better if all goes well. However, we haven’t really seen him play against a decent defense yet. Maryland isn’t dominant by any means, but they probably have the best defense the Seminoles will have faced.
Winston has been using his top wide outs with ease so far. Kenny Shaw leads the team with 370 yards and Rashad Greene already has five touchdowns. The running Game is a three-pronged attack led by Devonta Freeman. Not including Winston, they have three RBs that have more than 170 yards and at least two TDs each.
With so many questions about how good each of these teams can be, this Game will definitely be a telling point. The Seminoles are on the road next against Clemson so it doesn’t get any easier for them.
The Terrapins have covered six straight Games and are 5-2 ATS in their last seven road Games. The Seminoles are 5-1 ATS in their last six home Games, but are only 1-4 ATS in their last five Conference Games. FSU has dominated this matchup as of late, going 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings. That includes last year’s 41-14 win. However, it’s tough to look at that Game too much as Maryland’s football team was in a rough spot for most of the season. This is a new team that is no push over.
No prediction on this Game as we are using it as a Key Release