The Terrapins have some revenge to take care of after they lost this match up at home last year and they should get it done in an ugly defensive battle. Maryland is top 20 in run defense, sacks and total defense led by DE Joe Vellano and a strong linebacking corp led by the tackling machine in Demetrius Harstfield. Boston College can forget about running the ball they are 109th with just 3.1 ypc and Maryland's front 7 is just nasty against the run. This game will fall in the hands of QB Chase Rettig who is only completing 56% of his passes but does have 13 TD and 5 interceptions. I'm not buying the play of Rettig here as the Terrapins are 5th in opposing QB completion % at 50%. I don't see how Boston College moves the ball here with the 120th ranked third down offense converting just 27% going up against Maryland who is 29th in third down defense.
Okay, so Maryland has offensive issues of their own, but they are so much better on offense and there is a reason why Boston has been run on by a higher % than any other team in the nation with the exception of Washington, Air Force, Hawaii and FAU. They can't stop it allowing 5.5 ypc, and while Maryland hasn't been able to run effectively this year their injury to the QB should lighten things up because they'll have an option QB that's more of a runner. I expect their new QB system with Devin Burns running the read option to pick up chunks especially since Boston College has not seen it much because Maryland has not run it much.
Another area of concern for Maryland has been protecting the QB, and although they'll throw the ball when they bring in a new QB other than Burns they have to be concerned because they are dead last in protecting the QB. Well Boston College has not gotten in the backfield on anyone they are 118th in sack %. This is not the same Boston College defense we saw with dominant LB play from years past. Over their last 5 games they have been out gained by 1266 yards. Maryland is young but they have more play makers including freshmen STefon Diggs who is a game changer in this game. He's great returning the ball as well as getting the ball on quick outs. At the end of the day Maryland also holds advantages in the red zone holding opponents to 29% TD's and 25% in conference, BC has struggled big time only 40% TD's in the red zone and their defense is allowing 60% TD's. I think Maryland wins this game outright.
