The Towson Tigers and Maryland Terrapins meet Saturday in week 1 college football action at SECU Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Towson Tigers Betting Preview

Towson is coming off a 6-5 season that ended on a solid 4-game losing streak. Towson now begins the Pete Shinnick era, and he has first time coordinators as well in Brian Sheppard and Darlan Dulin. Nathan Kent will have a chance to takeover starting quarterback duties after 14 pass attempts last season. Devin Matthews returns at running back after almost 500 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Da’Kendall James and D’Ago Hunter combined for more than 600 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Mason Woods returns after leading Towson with 77 tackles, Jesus Gibbs had 5 sacks and Robert Javier had 2 interceptions. Towson needs to find a quarterback and has a new coaching staff across the board. However, Towson returns a good amount of key contributors on the defensive side of the ball, which should keep this squad afloat early. 

Maryland Terrapins Betting Preview

Maryland is coming off an 8-win season and has a chance to make 3 straight bowls for the first time since 2006-08. Coach Mike Locksley enters his fifth year, but he has new coordinators in Josh Gattis and Kevin Sumlin running the offense. Taulia Tagovailoa returns at quarterback after throwing for 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns on a 67 percent completion percentage. Roman Hemby is back after leading the Terps with nearly 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while Jeshaun Jones and Corey Dyches is a returning receiving duo that combined for 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, Beau Brade returns after leading the Terps with 85 tackles, Jaishawn Barham had 4 sacks and Dante Trader Jr. had 2 interceptions. Maryland returns a great deal of production from a year ago, including a playmaking quarterback in Tagovailoa, who reportedly could’ve left for the SEC. While I question if the Terps can get enough stops to be a serious threat in the Big Ten, Maryland will put a scare in many teams this season and should easily make a third straight bowl appearance. 

Randy’s Pick

Towson is breaking in a new quarterback and coaching staff, and those are tough things to do on the road. Maryland is coming off a nice season and returns a star at quarterback and playmakers around him. Maryland should have no trouble scoring points this season, especially against lesser opponents. I expect the Terps to come out strong, and that’s why I’ll lay whatever number with the home team.