Maryland seems to have a couple of things going for them in today's game. First, they want to send fired coach Ralph Friedgen out a winner, and second the game is being played in Washington for a home game feel. Friedgen was ACC coach of the year and gets the back door after the game. He has a 4-2 bowl record and 4-1 mark against the spread.
The big advantage for Maryland will be going up against one of the worst defenses in college football (118th) allowing 478 yards and 43 points per game. Navy hung 76 points on them to illustrate the point. Turps' QB Danny O'Brian (2,257 yards, 21 TDs, 6 Ints) should be able to use Torry Smith (1,065 yards, 12 TDs) to exploit the Pirates' porous defense.
As bad as East Carolina's defense is, the offense counters by being pretty good. The Pirates ranked #7 in passing and #12 in scoring. Quarterback Dominique Davis is a bigtime threat passing for 3,699 yards, 36 TDs and 14 Ints. He also rushed for nine touchdowns.
Bottom line is I would never bet on a really bad defensive team like East Carolina. Add to that, they are 1-6 ATS vs ACC teams last seven games and were only 1-3 outside of Conference USA this season. Maryland is the play for me and good luck with whoever you choose.
The big advantage for Maryland will be going up against one of the worst defenses in college football (118th) allowing 478 yards and 43 points per game. Navy hung 76 points on them to illustrate the point. Turps' QB Danny O'Brian (2,257 yards, 21 TDs, 6 Ints) should be able to use Torry Smith (1,065 yards, 12 TDs) to exploit the Pirates' porous defense.
As bad as East Carolina's defense is, the offense counters by being pretty good. The Pirates ranked #7 in passing and #12 in scoring. Quarterback Dominique Davis is a bigtime threat passing for 3,699 yards, 36 TDs and 14 Ints. He also rushed for nine touchdowns.
Bottom line is I would never bet on a really bad defensive team like East Carolina. Add to that, they are 1-6 ATS vs ACC teams last seven games and were only 1-3 outside of Conference USA this season. Maryland is the play for me and good luck with whoever you choose.
