Maryland Terrapins 2009 NCAA Football Preview

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Maryland Terrapins

Atlantic Coast Conference

2008 Record: (8-5, 4-4)

2008 Bowl: Humanitarian Bowl vs. Nevada (W 42-35)

Coach: Ralph Friedgen (64-36 at Maryland, 64-36 overall)

Offensive Coordinator: James Frankling

Defensive Coordinator: Don Brown

Returning Leaders

Rushing: Da’Rel Scott, RB, 1,133 yards

Passing: Chris Turner, QB, 2,516 yards

Receiving: Torrey Smith, WR, 336 yards

Tackles: Alex Wujciak, LB, 133

Sacks: Jared Herrell, DE, 2.0

Interceptions: Jamari McCollough, S, 4

Other Key Returnees: P Travis Baltz, G Phil Costa, OT Bruce Campbell, DT Travis Ivey, RB Cory Jackson, S Terrell Skinner, CB Anthony Wiseman

Key Losses: S Jeff Allen, CB Kevin Barnes, OT Scott Burley, LB Trey Covington, LB Moise Fokou, DE Mack Frost, TE Dan Gronkowski, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, DT Jeremy Navarre, WR Danny Oquendo, LB Dave Philistin, G Jaimie Thomas, C Edwin Williams

Is this the year that Maryland gets over the hump and gets to the ACC Championship game? Probably not, but the Terrapins were one of the most inconsistent teams in the nation. This is a team that would lose to Middle Tennessee State one week and then beat California the next. Then they get annihilated by Virginia in between victories over top 25 ranked Clemson and Wake Forest. With a little consistency, Maryland could be a surprise team in the ACC.

Strengths:

Coach Ralph Friedgen hopes that the consistency will come from another year of experience from quarterback Chris Turner. Turner is certainly not the model of consistency, but now he is a senior and he has to keep the turnovers down and move the offense a little more efficiently. Even without Darrius Heyward-Bey, Turner has some quality targets to pass to. Torrey Smith is the most experienced option, but Ronnie Tyler, Emani Lee-Odai and LaQuan Williams could all emerge as dangerous pass catchers. But Maryland does not have to rely on the passing attack. In fact, they will mostly use the pass to set up the ground game. Da’Rel Scott had a great sophomore campaign, tallying 1,133 yards and eight touchdowns. But it is not just Scott. Davin Meggett and Morgan Green are more than capable backups and that three headed ground attack could be the best in the conference.

Weaknesses:

The defense lost seven starters from a unit that was not that good to begin with. Alex Wujciak is a solid linebacker and will have to be the team’s leader. One of the main reasons for the lack of defensive production was due to the poor pass rush. Hardly anybody on the front line was a consistent rusher last year and the prospects of finding a new one are slim. That leaves a ton of pressure on the secondary, especially since they are now without Kevin Barnes. Corners Anthony Wiseman and Jamari McCollough and safety Terrell Skinner are quality players, but none of them could keep up with Barnes. Unless Maryland finds a way to get into the opposing backfield, the secondary will once again rank towards the bottom of the conference in pass defense.

The Bottom Line:

In the end, the success or failure of this season will depend on the offense. If Turner can take a step up and have a good senior year, the Terps could be in for a good season. However, his success will depend on the play of the offensive line. Guard Jaimie Thomas, center Edwin Williams and tackle Scott Burley are all gone and it could take a while for the line to adjust. Bruce Campbell and Phil Costa are a good duo to work around, but can they make big enough holes for the talented running backs and protect Turner?

2008 Team Stats:

Rushing Offense: 144.00 (61^st in nation, 4^th in conference)

Passing Offense: 206.69 (64, 2)

Total Offense: 350.69 (68, 3)

Scoring Offense: 21.77 (92, 9)

Rushing Defense: 146.69 (71, 9)

Pass Defense: 218.23 (77, 10)

Total Defense: 364.92 (63, 10)

Scoring Defense: 22.46 (44, 9)

Turnover Margin: -.62 (97, 11)

Sacks: 2.15 (46, 8)

Sacks Allowed: 2.15 (79, 7)