When sports gambling officially launched in Maryland this past week, Gov. Larry Hogan placed a $50 bet on the University of Maryland to beat Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl.
At the time of his wager, the Maryland Terrapins were -105 moneyline. That means, with his $50 wager, Gov. Hogan would net $47.62 in winnings if Maryland is victorious.
We’re just a few weeks away from the bowl game, and the question still remains: Will Gov. Hogan cash in with his bet?
Like many politicians with these good-natured public bets, he pledged his support for the local team. But was it a wise wager?
#BREAKING Gov. Hogan placed the first bet at Horseshoe Casino Baltimore: $50 on Maryland to beat Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl Game! pic.twitter.com/INVR3UPwsR
— Chelsea Johnson (@ChelseaJOnTV) December 10, 2021
Maryland vs Virginia Tech odds
On Wednesday, Dec. 29 (2:15 p.m., ESPN), the Maryland Terrapins face off against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the annual Pinstripe Bowl.
Maryland, a Big Ten school, and VA Tech, which reps the ACC, will meet at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx. The New York-centric bowl game debuted in 2010, with New Era Cap Company as its primary sponsor ever since.
The New York Yankees actually organize the bowl game. As a result, the Pinstripe Bowl’s winning team receives the George M. Steinbrenner Trophy while the game’s top performer earns the David C. Koch MVP Trophy.
Initially, Virginia Tech was a 2.5 point favorite when lines opened. But according to the Caesars Sportsbook in Maryland, which is now taking in-person bets at Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, those odds have changed.
The Terps are now down a 1-point favorite with the moneyline set at -120. Those odds suggest that the Terps have an implied 54% chance of winning this game. The over/under is 55, up from the original opening total of 52.5.
2021 Pinstripe Bowl game preview
The Maryland Terps (6-6) and Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6) are no strangers to each other.
Both teams were members of the ACC from 2004-2013, until the Terps made their way to the Big Ten.
As they face off in the 11th Pinstripe Bowl Game, this will mark the 32nd meeting between these former conference rivals.
Led by quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, the Terps are appearing in their first bowl game since 2016. The junior quarterback is enjoying a record-breaking season, setting Maryland’s single-season record for both passing yards (3,595) and completions (308).
Terps’ head coach Michael Locksley will look to win his first bowl game in his debut postseason appearance.
This will be the Hokies’ 34th bowl appearance following 29 straight seasons of bowl eligibility. Virginia Tech comes into this matchup winning five of its past six matchups against the Terps. In their most recent meeting, in November 2013, Maryland won in overtime, 27-24.
All-time, the Terps are 16-15 against the Hokies.
Betting on Pinstripe Bowl Game at MD casinos
Luckily for sports bettors in Maryland, there are a few nearby options to place a bet on the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl Game. You know, if you wanna follow the governor’s lead.
In addition to Horseshoe Casino Baltimore/Caesars, both MGM National Harbor (partnered with BetMGM Sportsbook) and Live! Casino & Hotel (partnered with the FanDuel Sportsbook app) also launched sports betting operations last week.
All of these casinos offer in-person retail sports betting. However, online sports wagering isn’t expected to launch in MD until late next year.
Otherwise, nearby states such as Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia all offer full online betting if you’re located within their borders.
