As we enter summer, Las Vegas bookmakers are starting to release over/under win totals for the 2018 college football season. Covers.com has Maryland football at over/under 4.5 wins with moneyline odds of -110 on both sides, meaning you’d have to risk $110 to win $100.
The total itself isn’t all that surprising of an opening line, considering the Terps went 4-8 last season. Oddsmakers may be overlooking the fact that Maryland lost its two starting quarterbacks nine quarters into the season and that this year’s schedule shapes up more favorably than 2017’s.
It’s also important to note that lines are not Vegas’ predictions, but rather numbers designed to draw an even amount of money on each side of the line. Another 4-8 record or a slight improvement to 5-7 seems like a safe bet to the casual college football bettor who may not follow Maryland football so closely.
That’s where we come in. Here’s the Terps’ schedule for next season:
We’re not here to predict wins and losses (yet), but try to find five wins on that schedule. As far as light analysis goes, there are three teams on the schedule that Maryland beat last year (Texas, Minnesota, Indiana) and two teams that finished with two wins in 2017 (Illinois and Bowling Green). Temple and Rutgers only beat one team each that finished with a higher S&P+ rating than they did last season. Playing both teams at home should work in the Terps’ favor.
We’re not encouraging gambling here, but if you were already thinking about it, we’ve at least talked you through the process a little.
In other news
Cliff Tucker died yesterday. He was 29. I’ll always remember him, as many will, for his buzzer-beater at home against Georgia Tech after Greivis Vasquez had one nullified by a Maryland timeout.
In happier news, BRUNO FERNANDO IS COMING BACK TO MARYLAND FOR HIS SOPHOMORE SEASON.
Maryland men’s lacrosse didn’t finish the job in Foxborough this weekend, but the graduating seniors accomplished too much to be defined by this one loss.
Similarly, the women’s team came up short in the Final Four, but Maryland women’s lacrosse is showing no signs of letting up any time soon.
Maryland football made local four-star 2019 wide receiver Isaiah Hazel’s top seven. The Terps’ stiffest competition will likely be from Virginia Tech.
TOP 7! pic.twitter.com/NxDImq0EEL
— Isaiah Hazel (@Thats__zay) May 29, 2018