Maryland vs. Navy & Rivals.com

The University of Maryland will open their 2010 Football season September 6th (Labor Day) by facing the Midshipman of Navy at Ravens Stadium.

(Ticket information can be found here: http://www.baltimoreravens.com/Gameday/Tickets/Special_Events.aspx)

I have plenty of respect for Navy and what they have accomplished over the last decade with their former Head Coach Paul Johnson, and continued with their current Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo.

For 7 consecutive seasons, Navy has found their way to a Bowl game. Last year Navy caught the attention of everyone with their 4 point loss at Ohio State, and their defeat of Notre Dame. In their Bowl game, they cemented a strong season with a blistering 35-13 defeat of Missouri.

Annually they play beyond their collective physical talent, and are a disciplined and capable team. The triple-option offense they run is very difficult to prepare for, because of the lack of teams that run a similar formation. Game-after-game you see opposing defenders not stay true to their assignments, causing Navy to eat up tremendous yardage and time on the clock.

When this game was announced, I was not particularly excited about it as a Terps fan as it initially appeared as a no-win situation for Maryland. Basically the idea being that if Maryland lost, there would be plenty of people saying, “You lost to those guys?” With the alternative being almost as unattractive. “Great, you won. You should win with the athletic advantage you have.”

As the game nears though, it appears as I was completely incorrect. If I am to believe the commentary of others, apparently Maryland should be giving thanks for appearing on the same-field as Navy.

Rivals.com has been ranking the Top 120 teams of Division 1 Football, and recently proclaimed the Terps as the Nation’s 92nd best team. Where did Navy appear on this list? In the Top 25 of the Country at number 23.

It is unfathomable to me, that a paid professional looks at the collective roster of Navy, looks at the collective roster of Maryland; and comes to the conclusion that Navy’s talent is superior. Not even just better, but the scale tilted so much in the favor of Navy that they believe there are 69 teams in-between the two. That is just unbelievable.

Perhaps part of the reason I am having trouble believing that Navy has an even collection of talent, is because of the recruiting rankings I have seen over the years from the same Rivals.com.

According to the annual recruiting-rankings of Rivals.com, the Maryland classes have been ranked as following for the past-six years:

2010: 36th
2009: 26th
2008: 38th
2007: 35th
2006: 29th
2005: 16th

= Average class ranking of 30th.

Where has Rivals ranked Navy’s recruits during the same time-period?

2010: 111th
2009: 120th
2008: 118th
2007: 119th
2006: 118th
2005: 116th

= Average class ranking of 117th.

So, you have the annual recruiting rankings of Rivals.com stating that over the past 6 signed classes Maryland has averaged the 30th best class nationally, while Navy has averaged a class ranking of 117th. A difference of 87 spots in the favor of Maryland. You also have the 2010 team rankings of Rivals.com stating Navy is the Nation’s 23rd best team, while Maryland is the 92nd best team. A difference of 69 spots in the favor of Navy.

How does one make sense of this? Is anyone going to make the absurd argument of Navy having a superior Coaching staff? Even if you believe this to be true, do you really believe Navy’s coaches are that much better?

Navy and their triple-option will be a difficult opponent. They will have half of the Ravens Stadium crowd, and they will play with their traditional pride.

If the illusion can exist for another month that Navy has the better talent and should be favored, Maryland will take the field with limited pressure on their shoulders. If that happens, look for a Terps victory that should really surprise nobody, including Rivals.com.

EDIT: I see that Navysports.com has linked to this post with a headline stating ‘Talent-wise Navy does not belong on the field with MD.’ That point was not made. Navy goes into this game as the favorite, and as I said will be a difficult opponent for Maryland.

I have written a more detailed response, which can be found here:
http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogspot.com/2010/08/maryland-vs-navy-rivalscom-pt-2.html