21.5 Reasons the the Spread is Too Much

We are still at Bobby G's here and just listened to a 10 minute debate from two over 50 year old Cal fans over the spread. One tried to rationalize why it was so high, while the other sat and okay'ed him. This only started after the second one turned down the first's request for pot. I'm not making this up, I swear. They forgot they weren't in college anymore.

But after the turned down pot request, the 21.5 spread is an interesting point. On the surface it seems like a ton. Maryland isn't that bad right? The truth is...

They aren't.

Maryland should NOT be 21.5 underdogs by any means and here are 21.5 reasons why this is true:

1. Three year starter Chris Turner is a ranked team killer, 5-1 as a starter against ranked teams.

2. Chris Turner is from California. Playing in front of his family and friends could spark him

3. The Fridge has lost over 100 pounds, so can now coach better by running up and down the sidelines

4. Jahvid Best still hasn't stopped puking from last year

5. That same BEST player only had 25 yards rushing last year against this same Maryland team

6. Maryland has the better punter (it's arguable, but Travis Baltz is reaching Adam Podlesh levels)

7. Hal would bet on Maryland and not Cal. Hal is lucky

8. Maryland's defense knows it has to be aggressive, so could come out blitzing Kevin Riley and put him under a ton of pressure.

9. Riley can't throw for more than the 423 yards he threw for last year...right?

10. There is no Alaskan Amber in Berkeley

11. Alex Wujciak is primed for a breakout junior year. Kid is a leader and a star player

12. California runs a base 3-4 defense, so the young offensive line won't have to expect too many blitzes

13. Torrey Smith.

14. The offense is now used to the successor, James Franklin's, type of offense. Soon enough Franklin is the head coach, he's going to open up the offense today

15. From what we've been told, the Maryland tailgates supercede the California tailgates

16. From what we've seen, the Maryland bar scene certainly supercedes the California bar scene. Who would have EVER thought that?

17. Bruce Campbell protecting Turner's blindside. Campbell is very good

18. No Quarterback controversey to begin the year. First time the Terps have had that in several years. Turner is the unquestioned starter and leader (one of four team captains) of this team and he has practice and prepared all offseason for this. There's no debate finally, which is exactly what the team asked for after the Humanitarian Bowl last year

19. Gavin Floyd of the White Sox just lost his perfect game. That means there's still one team that CAN be perfect today

20. No one is talking about Da'Rel Scott today. Fans in College Park know how good Scott is, but the country does not. Everyone in California and up there in Bristol is talking about how Jahvid Best is going to dominate in this game and all season long. Look for Scott to use this as motivation and shine sometime tonight. He's a pre-season all ACC player for a reason.

21. Maryland has nothing to lose. They aren't expected to do anything today and that's when a team is most dangerous. A big game, with one team having absolutely nothing to lose

21.5. We didn't fly out all of this way to see the Terps get destroyed. They won't let us down

We just paid (well Hal did) and are leaving Bob's now. I've had it with the Michigan fight song, the cow bell, and the incredibly annoying cheering for no apparent reason. You are up 31-0 against Western Michigan and aren't within 1000 miles of Ann Arbor.

I'm also getting sick of the blue and gold. Uh oh, another bad sign for Cal Berkeley.

22. Cal Berekely have the same colors as the University of Michigan.