Maryland vs Virginia Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

After two seasons of pain and suffering - off the field and on it - few programs deserve to have a fun start more than Virginia. Beating Richmond was nice, but pulling off a road victory over Wake Forest in the ACC opener was huge.

It won’t be an easy road to get to six wins and bowl eligibility, but the 2-0 run to get this all going is a fantastic start. Beating Maryland would suddenly turn the spotlight on.

The Terps were amazing against UConn in the season opener, couldn’t handle the Michigan State offense last week in a 27-24 loss, and now there’s this suddenly-difficult road game.

Win it, and with Villanova, at Indiana, and Northwestern to follow, there’s a chance to go on a run.

Maryland vs Virginia Preview

Maryland vs Virginia How to Watch
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
Venue: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA
How to Watch: ACC Network
Virginia (2-0), Maryland (1-1)
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Why Maryland Will Win

For all the positives so far for Virginia, there’s one glaring problem …

It can’t convert a third down try.

The Cavaliers are hitting just 24% of their chances, the defense isn’t doing a strong enough job to pick up the slack, and so far - really, against Wake Forest - it’s been about coming through in key moments.

Maryland will throw and throw some more against a Virginia secondary that got hammered hard for over passing yards by Hank Bachmeier. Terp QB Billy Edwards Jr. has been great, but …

Why Virginia Will Win

Speaking of lots and lots of passing yards, Maryland’s secondary got hit by UConn for 222 yards - but that was in desperation mode to find something that worked - and Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles went off for 363 yards.

Anthony Colandrea has been strong when needed. In the first two games he hit 76% of his throws for 654 yards and five scores, he’s running well, and he’s coming up big when needed. There’s little to no Terp pass rush so far, and it shows.

Give Colandrea time, and look out, but …

Maryland vs Virginia: Who Will Win

The interceptions. Colandrea threw two picks against Wake Forest, and he’ll have to be very, very careful in this.

The Maryland defense might be awful in some ways over the first two games, but it’s been able to make up for it a little bit with six takeaways, five of them picks.

The Terps didn’t exactly give the Michigan State game away - the Spartans took it - but they should’ve won that. They’ll outplay Virginia, and … lose.

It won’t be beautiful, but the Cavaliers will come through in the final moments to pull this off.

Maryland vs Virginia Prediction, Betting Lines

Virginia 30, Maryland 27
Line: Maryland -2.5, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Maryland vs Virginia Must See Rating: 3