#107/108 ASA TOP PLAY ON 10* Over 60.5 Points – Maryland vs Illinois, Friday at 9 PM ET - This total opened at just 58.5 which was way too low in our opinion and it has since jumped up to 60.5. Our power rated total for this one is set at 64 to still value on the OVER in our opinion. The Maryland offense has been great thus far putting up 92 points in 2 games to go along with almost 1,100 yards on 6.6 YPP. One of those games was vs a very good West Virginia defense that ranked 5th in college football in total defense last season. The Terps lit them up for 30 points on 496 total yards. They actually should have scored more than 30 points as Maryland missed a FG, was shut out on downs in WVU territory, and ended the game on the WVU 13-yard line running out the clock. The Terps are averaging 82 plays per game as their fast paced offense is clicking right now to say the least. The Illini pass defense has been terrible so this is a bad match up. Maryland QB Tagovailoa has already thrown for over 600 yards, completed 76% of his passes, and 6 TD’s. Not to mention he’s a running threat as well. The Illini pass defense has allowed their last 2 opponents starting QB’s (UTSA & UVA) complete 46 of their 68 pass attempts (68%) for 685 yards and 6 TD’s. Getting no pressure up front hasn’t helped as Illinois has 1 sack in their last 2 games combined. They’ve allowed 37 & 42 points in those 2 games. Offensively the Illini get a big boost here with starting QB Peters back under center after missing most of the Nebraska game and each of the last 2 games. He gives them a much better passing attack and makes this team tougher to defend. The Illini scored 30 points in each of their first 2 games but just 14 last week @ UVA. They had many more opportunities to put points on the board throwing an interception in Virginia territory and getting shut out on downs twice on the Cavs side of the field. Illinois has been using a fast paced offense as well averaging 75 plays per game so both teams prefer up tempo. Maryland shut out an FCS team last week but in their lone FBS game they gave up 24 points to West Virginia and the game had 41 points at halftime (21-20 WVU lead). With perfect weather (temps in the 70’s and light winds at game time) and a lot of offensive snaps expected, we think this one is high scoring. The projected score based on the spread is Maryland 34 – Illinois 26. We like both teams to eclipse their projected point total and this one goes OVER.