54 replies to this topic

[BSLZackKiesel]

After picking up a comeback road victory in Charlottesville last weekend, Maryland returns home to face off against Villanova on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats are currently ranked as the #5 FCS team in the country, and hold a 3-0 record with victories over Youngstown State, Colgate, and Towson. Mark Ferrante is in his 39th year on their coaching staff, 8th as head coach. Their offense is led by third-year starter Connor Watkins, a dual threat who accounted for 30 total touchdowns and more than 3,000 total yards last season.

 

Villanova has upset FBS teams four times in their history, the last coming in 2018 against Temple. Maryland is 10-2 all-time against them, with the only losses coming in 1970 and 1971. Their last meeting was in 2007, a game the Terps won by a score of 31-14.

 

Betting lines for games involving FCS teams aren't released until later in the week, but ESPN gives Maryland a 95.2% chance to win.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Maryland opens as 19.5-point favorites in this game.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Maryland opens as 19.5-point favorites in this game.

 

Where did you find this line?

[BSLZackKiesel]

Where did you find this line?

FanDuel has it listed. Already moved to -17.5, though.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Locksley says that he expects starting left tackle Andre Roye, Jr. to be available for this game. Big news after he went down late in last week's game against Virginia.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Locksley says that he expects starting left tackle Andre Roye, Jr. to be available for this game. Big news after he went down late in last week's game against Virginia.

As it turns out, Roye will in fact miss this game due to injury. LB Neeo Avery is also listed as out.

[BSLChrisStoner]

As it turns out, Roye will in fact miss this game due to injury. LB Neeo Avery is also listed as out.

 

I'm glad Roye is missing today.  Should be an opportunity to give him rest.
The important thing was that the injury was insignificant enough that he possibly could have played today.

[BSLChrisStoner]

I'd like to see Hemby breakout today, with Ray and McDonald also continuing to get touches. 

 

Felton has 27 grabs already, he's been huge. 

It would be ideal imo if today we saw Prather, Wade, and Octavian Smith Jr. each get a lot of passes thrown their way. 

Spread out the wealth. 

[BSLChrisStoner]

3rd and 8 picked up... Felton.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Hemby off contact for 9.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Hemby for 9 more.

[BSLChrisStoner]

2nd and 1 becomes 2nd and 6 with the false start on Herron.

[BSLChrisStoner]

3rd and 2... Terps run a tush push, and are short.

 

4th and 1.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Straight downhill from Hemby for maybe 8.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Hemby again... down into the RZ.

 

Nice running from him, and push up-front.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Really nice opening drive for Maryland. Offensive line got a strong push the entire way.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Prather!   TD Maryland!

[BSLZackKiesel]

The biggest talent discrepancy when an FBS team plays an FCS team is typically in the trenches. That was certainly evident on that first drive.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Good work from the defense forcing the three and out. Watkins isn’t a strong passer, so getting Villanova behind the chains handcuffs them quite a bit.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Terps pick up 3rd and 4.