The Terrapins are listed as a -1 favorite when they host the Orange in the 2019 Syracuse at Maryland free pick. There seems to be value on both squads, Maryland at home and Syracuse being a ranked team getting a point. Each team has started off 1-0 on the year, but who gets the edge on Saturday?
Syracuse Ready for a Tough Road Test?
The Orange have big expectations for the season after returning 15 starters from a team that went a somewhat surprising 10-3 a year ago. Syracuse had a solid opener, beating Liberty 24-0 and covering the -19.5 spread. There may be some concern at QB after that game though as new starter Tommy DeVito was just 17/35 for 175 yards and 2 TD. DeVito is trying to replace 4-year starter Eric Dungey, who was a huge part of the resurgence of the Orange football program.
What DeVito does have in the 2019 Syracuse at Maryland free pick is a bevy of talent around him. Senior Moe Neal had 89 yards on just 14 carries with a TD last week vs. Liberty. Abdul Adams is a transfer from Oklahoma that also toted the rock 14 times in week one and had a score as well. The biggest issue the Orange will face early in the year is replacing three starters on the O-line, including both tackles.
At the very least the Orange defense looked good in week one in pitching the 24-0 shutout. They did allow a 6 catch, 119 yard day to Antonio Gandy-Golden but held Liberty to -4 yards rushing on 34 carries. The Syracuse defense was 115th vs. the pass last year so Maryland could be able to attack through the air.
Can Maryland Keep the Offensive Train Rolling?
The O/U for the 2019 Syracuse at Maryland free pick is set at 58. That’s a number that the Terrapins beat by 3 TD’s themselves in a 79-0 week one win over Howard. Not a bad start for an offense that returned just 3 starters from a year ago. Of course Maryland was a -30 favorite and was expected to win week one rather easily but it was an impressive showing nonetheless.
Maryland built up a 56-0 halftime lead in week one behind an impressive day from Virginia Tech transfer Josh Jackson who had 245 yards and 4 TD on just 24 pass attempts. The big win allowed Maryland to keep workhorse back Anthony McFarland parked in the garage a bit as he had just 18 yards on 6 carries but with 2 TDs. McFarland had 1,034 yards as a freshman a year ago.
Combined the Orange and Terrapins won their openers by a score of 103-0. The Maryland defense was also impressive holding Howard to just 4 first downs and 68 total yards. Obviously the quality of competition has risen for both teams in week two, but new defensive coordinator Jon Hoke has the Maryland squad who averaged 28.7 points allowed a year ago looking good.
2019 Syracuse at Maryland Free Pick
Both teams earned impressive wins in week one but there are much more questions on the Syracuse side than on Maryland’s. The Orange did allow a Liberty receiver to get loose on them for 119 yards and the Syracuse QB was unimpressive vs. an inferior opponent. Having to go on the road doesn’t help DeVito’s cause on Saturday.
Pick: Maryland Terrapins -1
