OC Dooley
“2 UNIT” EARLY CARD SYSTEM SIDE (Bowling Green +7’ at Maryland in a 12 noon eastern kickoff): Even though this contest is “only” being broadcast on the Big Ten Network it is worth watching since Bowling Green employs one of the nation’s fastest tempo offenses while senior quarterback Matt Johnson is coming off a a dazzling 424 yard passing performance. At most offshore locations Maryland opened as a full “nine” point favorite but the spot has dropped even though the Terrapins covered their opener (50-21 triumph laying 22 points) while the Falcons failed to cover the spot last week (59-30 setback versus Tennessee as a 22 point underdog). While Bowling Green’s quarterback launched 49 passes in the opener the Falcons also can thrive running the football through the “read option” and today they go up against a Maryland defense with a pair of first-year linebackers in starting roles. Here is a 72-PERCENT SYSTEM (49-19 since 1992 in the initial 2 weeks of a new season) which plays ON road teams like Bowling Green whose defense the prior year allowed at least 400+ yards per contest, with 5 defensive starters returning for the new campaign. There is also a 71-PERCENT SYSTEM (47-19 the past five years) which plays ON solid passing teams from a year ago like Bowling Green who averaged at least 255 aerial yards per game, in a contest where both defenses have 5-or-less returning starters on defense