CAL's D-line should dominate the Maryland O-line. What worries me a little is that Cal played a 3-4 LY, but since 3 LB are gone from that squad the defense will likely change to a 4-3. So it may be a new scheme and I don't know how that will fair in the firsta game of the season. However, there is supossedly not much of a drop off with the replacements. Despite this, the Defense is still going to be strong. The D-Line is lead by Tyson Alualu, who is a beast and will be 1st team all pac-10. This entire group is back and they know how to get to the QB ranking 14th in the nation in sacks LY, while the Maryland offense ranked 79th in sacks allowed. Along with this, Maryland only returns 8 total players. The line is steep, but it's steep for a reason, I will likely play CAL and provide more reasoning.
This is the 2nd post I've seen that says something about the Rice defense. I'm trying to wrap my head around this game, and my initial lean was to Rice and the under. I'll probably scratch this game off my card, but wanted to get some info as to why everyone thinks that the Owls have such a lousy D as compared to UAB? Here are last years defensive numbers for both teams on a per game basis:
Rice: 33.3ppg / 452ypg (183rush/269pass) / 13.6ypp / TO +1.2
Uab: 31.3ppg / 430ypg (167rush/263pass) / 13.8ypp / TO -0.1
Very similar numbers, now throw in the fact that Rice returns 9 starters on defense, 9 of their top 10 in tackles, and their top 3 in sacks. Uab on the other hand returns 7 starters on defense, 6 of their top 10 in tackles and their top 2 in sacks. To me, it will be the offense of UAB (or the drop off in Offense of Rice) that will cover the number here, as the defenses are very similar. My bigger lean is to the under here since you have 2 improved defenses and 1 offense that should show less productivity at the start to the season. I just don't see this game getting into the 60's.
maryland as a dd dog almost always seem to cover or even win SU , then after a big win , now as a favorite always loss SU , im talking them, they beat cal last year as a 14 point dog ,
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