Maryland football: Syracuse opens as 1.5-point favorite over Maryland

Maryland goes into the week of its game against Syracuse as a 1.5-point underdog, via Odds Shark.

Both teams have offered a mixed bag through their first few games. The Orange are 2-0, but they nearly fell at home in Week 1 to Villanova - the football team - before escaping with a one-point win. The Terrapins, of course, are 2-1 after a loss at Byrd Stadium last weekend to West Virginia.

The Orange beat Maryland in College Park, 20-3, last season. Amba Etta-Tawo had more than 100 yards receiving for Maryland, but the Terps were otherwise quiet offensively.

It's reasonably safe to assume the small spread is a result of Syracuse playing at home. The Terps would probably be favored had they pulled out a win against the Mountaineers, although Syracuse looked excellent over the weekend in a 40-3 romp against Central Michigan on the road.

Senior quarterback Terrel Hunt ran for three touchdowns for the Orange. He also completed 20 of 30 passes for 175 yards and another score. In last year's game against Maryland, Hunt ran 7 times for 67 yards. Running back Jerome Smith went over 100 yards for the Orange that day, scoring twice.