Minnesota at Maryland Betting Odds & Pick: Can Golden Gophers Be Trusted to Cover? (Friday, Oct. 30)

Minnesota at Maryland Odds

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Michigan doubled up Minnesota in the season opener, 49-24, and the game featured plenty of explosive plays.

The Wolverine defense stifled the Gophers in passing plays, as Minnesota posted a 27% Success Rate. Michigan came from every angle, defending four passes, making eight tackles for loss and sacking the quarterback five times.

The Gophers' offensive line posted the third-worst grade of all active FBS teams, per Pro Football Focus. Despite Mohamed Ibrahim's 140 yards, the offensive line graded 70th in run blocking. Minnesota has the quarterback and skill position players to do damage, but the offensive line must improve after right tackle Daniel Faalele opted out of the season and right guard Curtis Dunlap sat on the sideline with a cast on his leg.

The special teams unit was without its kicker, kickoff specialist and punter, which led to Michigan owning an average starting field position at the 40-yard line. There's no word on whether or not the special teams players will return for Maryland.

The defense was just as gruesome, taking a PFF grade rank of 97th. The Gophers posted just one sack without a hurry for a defense that featured six new players in the front seven.

Maryland Terrapins

After last week, the question is if Northwestern is bound for the College Football Playoff or if the Terrapins are just the worst team in the Big Ten.

The answer is likely somewhere in between. While the Wildcats probably won't sniff the playoff, Maryland did not post a single explosive drive. Instead, quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa threw three interceptions. On the positive side, the offensive line graded out 28th-best for pass blocking, per PFF. Mike Locksley has plenty of work to do in getting the quarterbacks in tune with the wide receiver unit.

Despite the three interceptions, Locksley gave his quarterback a vote of confidence to start the week.

Defensively, the Terrapins didn't contribute much to stop Northwestern from scoring 43 points. Maryland did, however, limit the Wildcats to just one pass over 20 yards.

Betting Analysis & Pick

There are not many positives to write home about in the season opener for both clubs. Minnesota generated enough offense against Michigan to rank in the top 25 in Line Yards. While the Success Rate for the Gophers offense is in the top 25, the explosive element that led the team 2019 has disappeared.

From a pace standpoint, Maryland and Minnesota ranked 77th and 90th in seconds per play, respectively. Our Action Network projection makes this game Minnesota -13, giving a heavy edge to Maryland. Considering Minnesota is replacing the entire right side of the offensive line, breaking in a new front seven on defense and dealing with a coordinator change on offense, this is a team that cannot be trusted to lay three scores on the road.

Pick: Maryland +17.5 or better