Skinny - Maryland has a first team All-ACC linebacker in Alex Wujciak, a solid running back, and return specialist Torrey Smith. Beyond that, the team is just average and lacks starpower. Maryland plays in the ever changing ACC Atlantic Division. Maryland was 8-5 last season including a non-conference win over California and a bowl win over Colin Kaepernick and Nevada. They beat Clemson and NC State and lost to Middle Tennessee State and got destroyed by Virginia. Gone is Darrius Heyward-Bey and the majority of the defense, so the team is going to take a step back this season and could find themselves in the cellar of the Atlantic this season. Maryland has to travel to California this year, which is almost a sure loss but they should be able to knock off Middle Tennessee State this year. Rutgers replaces Eastern Michigan, but the ACC schedule is not too grueling. Maryland's goal should be to return to the postseason in a rebuilding year. Maryland does always manage to show up and shock a team they shouldn't, so they're not to be taken lightly.
Strength - Running Back
Da'Rel Scott is the team's offensive weapon and he averaged 5.4 ypc on the ground last season. His back-up Davin Meggett provides a solid second option with 457 yards on the ground last season (5.1). Maryland only ranked 61st in the country in rushing yards last season but Scott and Meggett should be able to eclispe 1800 yards as a duo this season. The one thing that could be holding them back from 1800 yards or more is the offensive line. Its a brand new line minus the LT and C and the new players aren't exactly world beater prospects.
Weakness - Offensive Line
The offensive line returns Bruce Campbell (LT) and Phil Costa (C). Costa is the top lineman for Maryand and was moved to C this year to guide the new lineman. Campbell was the highest rated player out of high school of the starters, but still has room for improvement. The rest of the line is very green, which needs to open holes for Da'Rel Scott and give time for Chris Turner to operate at quarterback. Turner is a good quarterback but he lost his top target, Heyward-Bey, and will have to rely on an average, inexperienced group of receivers. Lamar Young and Justin Lewis should be two of the three starters with Paul Pinegar and Tyler Bowen fighting for the last spot.
Key Game - 10/10/09 @Wake Forest
A year ago, Maryland shut down Wake Forest in dominating fashion, but this year they travel to play the Deamon Deacons with a lesser squad. This is the second ACC game of the season and expect them to be coming in with a loss after playing a revenge game with Clemson the week before. Maryland has better athletes than Wake Forest, but Riley Skinner is a game manager that will put up a big game against a raw Maryland defense. Wujciak needs to quarterback the Maryland defense as it grows up and he needs to be a tackle machine again with a new defensive line.
Key Player - Torrey Smith
Torrey Smith has made his mark for Maryland as a returner, but now the Terps need him as a number 1 receiver. He was third on the team last season in receptions and yardage, but quarterback Turner needs some new targets this season. Smith provides a playmaking option for an offense that isn't too scary after finishing just 92nd in the country in scoring last season despite having a skill player taken in the top 10 last spring in the NFL Draft. Smith is average in size at 6'1" 200 but performed well as a freshman and should only improve as a sophomore.
Impact Freshman - Pete White
Predicted ACC finish - 6th (Atlantic)
Top 5 Players
1. RB Da'Rel Scott
2. LB Alex Wujciak
3. WR Torrey Smith
4. QB Chris Turner
5. C Phil Costa
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