Will Big 12 Win Match-Ups Against Power Five? Vegas Big 12 Predictions for Week 3 Here.
Saturday Blitz Vegas Big 12 Predictions Week 3
West Virginia Mountaineers at Maryland Terrapins
Line: Maryland by 3.5
This game is truly a toss-up. West Virginia on paper appears to be the worse team and has the worse recored but has looked better in its first two games, somehow. Playing Alabama close and then blowing out Towson are two great looks. The Mountaineers seem set with Clint Trickett at quarterback, who has done a tremendous job in both games, but what really sticks out is the defense. After forcing Alabama into questions about its quarterback situation, the defense pitched a shutout last week. West Virginia will want to use Trickett to make plays, but it will need its tough defense to win the game by forcing turnovers and shutting down an offense that looks quite one-dimensional right now.
The Terps have reason to start worrying this week after struggling last week with South Florida on the road. For the second straight game, C.J. Brown looks like he can’t do anything but run or throw the ball to his first read. And this time he played a crucial role in the offense having 6 turnovers, keeping USF in the game. Luckily, he was saved last week by Marcus Leak and the tough defense, and but that might not be the case against a West Virginia team that plays tough defense on its own and has an offense that can give the Terps defense a tough time. Brown will have to get the ball to his weapons quickly, the running game will take off, and the defense will have to continue to do its job for the Terps to win this game.
Prediction
West Virginia runs a more balanced spread offense, but Maryland has more playmakers. Both have a great defense. In a close rivalry game in front of the home crowd, the Terps will pull off this win thanks to a few big plays from Stefon Diggs and Deon Long finally coming through and Will Likely making a play on defense. Terps win this one in a battle that lasts for four quarters and gives fans lots of drama.
Maryland: 28 West Virginia: 27