by DCist contributor Brett Gellman

While the California Golden Bears defeated Washington State by a whopping 63 point margin in the second week of last season, the Maryland Terrapins suffered defeat from the unlikeliest of foes in an ugly loss to Middle Tennessee State. Both teams were scheduled to face each other the following week; Cal, the obvious favorite to win.

Who could have predicted that Maryland would possess a 28-6 advantage in the fourth quarter and eventually come out victorious in College Park when the two teams finally met? Certainly not many, as both fan bases were stunned. Maybe it was the hot and humid weather, or that the Terps needed to redeem themselves after falling to MTSU, or even the early kickoff time (Cal’s mental clocks were set at 9am Pacific Time).

This time, things will be much different. It’s Maryland’s turn to travel to the opposite coast. And not only are the tables turned on the clock with a 10 p.m. Eastern kickoff, but the Terps will also be surrounded by a crowd channeling Tobias Funke in a Blue-Out atmosphere. Then there’s the fact that Cal is undefeated in home openers under head coach Jeff Tedford, not to mention that the Golden Bears are 27-4 overall in Berkeley through the last five seasons.

Oh, and let’s not forget about Heisman candidate Jahvid Best, one of the nation’s most prolific running backs.

The odds of Maryland coming out of Memorial Stadium victorious are rather slim. Even Vegas wasn’t too kind to the Terps, as they listed them as 21.5 point underdogs. I’m hardly a betting man, but I don’t think the handicappers are giving Maryland enough credit.