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ACC Preview - Maryland

I really don’t know how to begin a preview of the Maryland Terrapins other than to say that Maryland spent the 2008 campaign being the picture of inconsistency and I don’t look for anything different in 2009. Maryland has a quarterback that shows flashes of greatness, but also has a history of committing inexcusable mental errors. The offensive line was ineffectual in 2008 and there are only two players returning to that unit. Maryland has a stable of running backs that any coach would be jealous of, but with that offensive line, can they mount a running game??? The defense was terrible last year and they lost seven starters, so I honestly don’t know what to expect out of that unit in 2009…will they improve??? Can they get worse??? I really don’t know how to answer any of these questions.

In 2008, running back Da’rel Scott amassed 1133 yards on the ground. He will be backed up by Davin Megett and newcomers, DJ Adams and Caleb Porzel. Friedgen may end up having to use all four of those guys this year, considering the state of the Maryland offensive line. The Terps backs have only have two linemen that have played a college football game to run behind.

At quarterback, Terp faithful have to hope that Chris Turner can be more consistent than he was in 2008, but again, given the condition of the “O” line, that may be too much to ask for. Turner’s turnovers killed the Terps last year and in order for them to even have a ghost of a chance to do something this season, that issue has to be addressed.

The bizarre thing about Turner is that he seems to play to the level of his competition. Last year against Middle Tennessee State, he threw three picks and the Terps lost. On the flip side, when Turner played Cal, he went 15 of 19 for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns. Against Wake, he went 28 of 41 for 321 yards and a score. Maryland won both of those games. If this guy can show up every week, the Terrapins might have something special at QB.

The receiving corps will have to completely revamped. Gone are speedster Darius Heyward-Bey and his counterpart, Danny Oquendo. Their places will likely be taken by Emani Lee-Odai, Ronnie Tyler and LaQuan Williams. Special teams sensation Torrey Smith, who had an incredible game at wideout against Boston College last year will probably end up being Turner’s go to guy.

We aren’t even going to talk about the offensive line anymore....other than to say that Ralph Friedgen might want to lay off the Krispy Kremes and check with the NCAA to see if there is some off chance that he has a year of eligibility left. 

Maryland’s defense last year was sorrowful. They gave up an average of over 22 points a game.  I don’t really expect too terribly much more from them this year.  The pass rush in 2008 was nonexistent and that put an undue amount of pressure on the linebackers and the secondary. To address this problem,  Friedgen did manage to recruit a couple of blue chip defensive ends in the persons of DeOntre Arnett and Dave Mackall, but whether they can get the job done at the collegiate level remains to be seen. The only known quantity on the “D” line is Travis Ivey, who was hurt for much of 2008.

The linebacking corps is in the same shape as the defensive line. Question marks are the norm for the outset of 2009. Returning in the middle is Andy Wujciak, who had 133 tackles last year. Wujciak should be at least All ACC this year. He will be joined by converted tight end Dave Gloster and Adrian Moten.

The secondary might be the only thing on this team that Terp fans can depend on. It is also the only segment of this team that I can actually preview intelligently…and yes, I know that the word intelligent is seldom used in conjunction with the name Bill Reitz..  At free safety, the Terps have Terrell Skinner, who tallied 63 stops last year and USC transfer Antwine Perez, who can also play linebacker. The strong safety Jamari  McCullough led Maryland with four picks in 2008. The corners are held down by Anthony Wiseman and Nolan Carroll. If this group can get any type of support from the front seven, Maryland will be tough to throw on.

There are just too many question marks in College Park to predict the Terrapins to finish any place other than last in the Atlantic Division.