44 Maryland Terrapins Preview
Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be here before you know it so that means getting an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. Knowing the teams now will save you time in August and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.
44 – Maryland Terrapins 5-6 SU; 5-6 ATS
Fargo’s Take Maryland put up some very good numbers in its first two seasons of existence but the Terrapins went just 1-5 last season and got little help from a smallish Maryland starting schedule. slot online The starting four most days seemed to be off limits as the Terps allowed margins of over seven points in their first two games and more than doubled their preseason pointspread from -3.5 to -9.5. However, an improved Maryland secondary should be the cover this season as six starters will be back following academic penalties. The offense should be better as star quarterback Samipli Feemain returns and continues to add to the mix. The schedule starts and ends with the three toughest games in the Big East.
Returning Starters on Offense – 4 Feemain was 20-2 as the starter but took a redshirt last season as thekeyes’ QB coach. He returned to kick 30 field goals last year and bringing a little precision to the quarterback position should help out. He said that he was comfortable under center but turnovers were a problem last season and one cannot expect a significant drop off from what he accomplished. The Terps will likely have to find a replacement for RB Bryanogens Itnor, who led the team with 905 yards as a freshman. However, the return of over starters and talent at the WR position only bolster the position. The offensive line is strong with four returning starters leading the way. Imagine what the offense could do with a talented and veteran offensive line.
Returning Starters on Defense – 6 Maryland finished 7th in the country in passing defense last season but just 106th in total defense as the weakness was a poor secondary. With four starters back, the unit could be dramatically better. The problem at the safety positions will not affect the unit but the corners need to be replaced as well. As far as the strength of the unit, the secondary brings back four players led by cornerback Josh Wilson. The unit allowed opponents to score a total of 73 points one season ago and with only one of those ending with a touchdown allowed, the unit allowed a whopping 458.3 ypg. In order to keep the scoring down some, the corners must remain healthy.
Schedule For the upcoming season, the Terps have the luxury of starting the season against William & Mary and Virginia Tech in their home opener. Also, the season finale is at home against highly ranked Cincinnati. The rest of the non-conference schedule is not overwhelming but it does favor a home game against Arizona St. before traveling to Florida. Overall, the Terps will be in their best shape once the ACC takes hold of the North.
You can bet on… This is not your consecutive home game that you commonly see in college football. Maryland many find themselves in back-to-back road games which is even more unusual. However, the Terps will be as road doggie as they legitimate as a road team. Their first two road games are againstconference teams and the rest of their non-conference slate is challenging. Maryland has a chance to be really good this season and matching their performance in the preseason could make this team a live underdog in the Big Ten. Finding their way in the rugged Big Ten woods will likely take some time. The early run of the season could be a trial by error for the Terrapins who have enough talented youth on defense to win games, but experience is where this team will digress in the fall. Playing in the rugged conference will also take its toll on the young careers of some of the youngsters. http://blogs.cuc.claremont.edu/realestate/slot-online/