Terps vs. Rutgers: Five Reasons to Be Concerned

Posted by SuckaFish

Before each game we’ll give Five Reasons to Be Concerned, Five Reasons to Feel Good, and The Absolutely 100% Guaranteed Prediction.* As always, we start with the bad stuff.

1. Cal
The Terps opened the season on the west coast playing a team they beat last year. Granted, the Golden Bears are a better team than they were a year ago, but a 52-13 loss was a horrible way for a young team to get started.

2. James Madison
Maryland needed a late TD to tie the game and then a field goal (one that snuck inside the left post before taking a harsh left turn and barely hit the net) to beat an FBS team 38-35 in overtime.

3. Middle Tennessee State
A revenge game against a team from the Sun Belt Conference that beat the Terps in ’08. Maryland got the early lead but couldn’t hold it. They had the lead and the ball in the final two minutes but couldn’t hold it. They needed one stop from the defense but couldn’t get it. MTSU kicks a field goal on the final play of the game and beats Maryland 32-31.

4. 122 and 2
Maryland’s defense has given up 122 points in three games. In the one game against a BCS conference team they allowed 52. In two games against an FBS team and a team from the Sun Belt Conference they’ve given up 35 and 32. Can the new defense stop anyone?

Maryland’s All-ACC running back Da’Rel Scott fumbled twice in the MTSU game. He spent the fourth quarter of a one-point game on the bench watching Davin Meggett get the carries. Coach Friedgen says he hasn’t lost confidence in Scott. Can Scott regain his own confidence and lead the Terps?

5. No One’s Going to See the Game
For the third time in four games the Terps are not on TV. Seriously, isn’t this 2009? How can the only real college football team in a top ten TV market never be on TV? And the Washington Post reports that no one is going to the games at Byrd either. You know things aren’t going well will local papers are calling an ACC school a mid-major.

* Guarantee not valid in Piscataway or anywhere else

Terps vs. James Madison: Five Reasons to Feel Good

Posted by SuckaFish

Before each game we’ll give Five Reasons to Be Concerned, Five Reasons to Feel Good, and The Absolutely 100% Guaranteed Prediction.* We gave you the bad stuff. Now here’s the good stuff.

1. Anger
If this team isn’t furious after last week’s performance than this season is over already. They should be dying to get back on the field and prove what kind of team they really are.

2. Size Matters
The offensive line was dominated by Cal’s defense last week. This week they’ll be a facing a Dukes roster that has ONE defensive lineman over 270. Maryland has 13 offensive linemen over 300 pounds. This exactly what the Terps need to get the line on track.

3. They Got Skillz
Maryland is loaded at the skill positions. The running backs are deep and itching to put up big numbers after not getting much of an opportunity at Cal. The coaches have said all summer that they can go seven-deep at wide receiver. Chris Turner is in his third season as a starter. If the o-line plays better than last week the Terps should be able to rack up some points.

4. Back at Byrd
Traveling from coast to coast is not easy. Tonight the Terps will walk to the game and have the home crowd on their side. Of course they’re playing James Madison so it won’t be a packed house, but still.

5. Bowls Beat Championships
Sure, Madison is in the top ten in the Football Championship Subdivision and Maryland is far from Also Receiving Votes in the Football Bowl Subdivision but D1 > 1-AA.

* Guarantee not valid in Utah or anywhere else