ACC GAME OF THE WEEK: MARYLAND V. MIAMI
In what will be a very intriguing season in the ACC, the game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Maryland Terrapins on Labor Day night is a game with a ton of storylines and a ton of implications. While the Miami program is shrouded in doubt over the dealings with former booster Nevin Shapiro, they will be thrust into the conference season in Week One.
It is an interesting spot for the Hurricanes. Historically, the Miami program stands head and shoulders above Maryland. In recent years, however, Miami has not been nearly as dominant as it once was. They haven’t competed for a national title since 2002 and they have not been to a BCS bowl since 2003. The program also hasn’t had success retaining coaches. Al Golden, who had great success at Temple, steps in as the head man during a turbulent time. Not only is he charged with resurrecting the program, he must do it with a pending NCAA investigation of at least eight players, including probable starting quarterback Jacory Harris.
Maryland, on the other hand, is coming off of a rebound season after several subpar years under former head coach Ralph Friedgen. Despite being named ACC Coach of the Year, Friedgen was fired and replaced by the steady, program builder Randy Edsall, formerly Connecticut’s head coach. Edsall joins the program at a time when the Terps appear to have found a true star at quarterback in Danny O’Brien. Last year’s ACC Freshman of the Year, O’Brien looks to lead a young team back to a bowl victory.
It all starts full force on Monday for two programs seemingly going in different directions. Despite Miami’s many off the field distractions, this is never an easy game for a typically pedestrian program like Maryland. At the same time, if there was ever a time for Maryland to beat a national power player, this is it.
