2013 College Football Picks: Maryland @ Florida State Odds and Predictions – Free NCAAF Picks 10/5/2013

2013 College Football Picks: Maryland @ Florida State Odds and Predictions – Free College Football Picks 10/5/2013: A pair of ACC Atlantic Division rivals will go toe to toe Saturday when the 25th-ranked Maryland Terrapins (4-0, 0-0 ACC) head to Tallahassee to face the eighth-ranked Florida State Seminoles (4-0, 2-0 ACC). For the Terrapins, the game is not only their ACC opener, but it is a golden opportunity to prove that they are legit contenders in the conference in 2013. The Seminoles on the other hand have national championship hopes, and the showdown with Maryland is a chance to nab a statement win while remaining in control of the ACC. The game is the first major test for both teams, and playing at home, FSU is a 16-point favorite.

Maryland’s fast start has been a group effort. The offense is averaging almost 500 yards and nearly 40 points per game. Dual-threat quarterback C.J. Brown has thrown for seven touchdowns and run for six more scores, and running back Brandon Ross had added 332 more yards on 5.0 yards per carry. Meanwhile, explosive sophomore Stefon Diggs is averaging 22.2 yards per catch. The Terrapins defense has also been strong, and heading into Saturday’s game, the unit ranks third nationally in points allowed. Maryland has allowed 10 points or less in three of its four games this season.

Florida State rolls into the matchup with the fourth-best offense in the country. In addition to averaging more than 51 points per game, the Seminoles’ offense ranks 26th in passing and 20th in rushing. Freshman phenom Jamies Winston has been brilliant under center, throwing for 12 touchdowns and completing 73.6 percent of his passes. Meanwhile, running backs Devonta Freeman and Karlos Williams have combined for more than 500 yards and are both averaging an incredible 9.0 yards per carry. Defensively, FSU ranks in the top 20 nationally in points allowed, but the unit looked a little shaky in a 48-34 win against Boston College two weeks ago. An experienced secondary is the strength of the defense.

The Terrapins Win If:

If the Terrapins are going to pull off an upset, they need to be able to run the ball and control the clock on the offense. Whether it is Brown scrambling outside of the pocket or Ross between the tackles, the best way for Maryland to contain the high-powered FSU offense is to keep it on the sidelines by moving the chains. By establishing the ground game early, the Terrapins should also be able to open up some game-changing, big play opportunities to Diggs. Defensively, Maryland needs to be able to get some pressure on Winston and force him into some difficult throws. In general, the Terrapins need to limit as many big plays for the Seminoles as possible and force them to earn their points on longer drives. In the end, the Terrapins can pull off the upset if they are able to control the pace of the game with their offense and make Winston and the FSU offense execute in close game rather than a high-scoring shootout.

The Seminoles Win If:

For the Seminoles to remain undefeated, they need to dominate Maryland in the trenches on both sides of the ball. When the FSU offense is gaining huge chunks of yardage on the ground, it allows Winston time to survey the field and find has array of speedy playmakers. Meanwhile, the Seminoles have a chance to cause major problems for the Maryland offense if they can take away the Terrapins’ ground game. Florida State’s offense has a ton of weapons, and if the Seminoles are able to put points on the board early and often while preventing the Maryland offense from bleeding the clock, Winston and company should overwhelm the Terrapins.

Bottom Line:

With Clemson looming in a couple of weeks, Saturday’s meeting with Maryland has all the conditions for a trap game for the Seminoles. However, last week’s scare against Boston College should serve as a wake-up call and have FSU focused from the opening kickoff. Meanwhile, the upstart Terrapins will not only be facing their toughest opponent to date, but they will be doing so on the road. Maryland’s highly-ranked defense is going to have its hands full with all the weapons the Seminoles bring to the table, and the Terrapins offense has yet to have to execute in a pressure-packed situation. The fast start is nice, but Maryland isn’t going to be able to hang with the FSU offense in Tallahassee.

Prediction: Florida State Seminoles (-16) Cover the Spread

Maryland @ Florida State
Time: 12:00 PM EST
Line: Florida St -16.5
Total: Over/Under 58.5

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