Two weeks from yesterday University of Maryland Football will host Richmond to begin their 2015 season.

Over the Summer, my BSL Colleagues Chris Garman, and Zack Kiesel have provided excellent previews of the following respective position groups:

Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Linebackers
Cornerbacks
Safeties
Special Teams

For extensive detail on the roster, refer to those articles. Here we will discuss our expectations as a whole, and identify some of the things and players which interest me.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Topic 1) In-terms of wins and losses, what is realistic, and what would constitute a successful season?

Terps 2015 Schedule
9/5 Richmond
9/12 Bowling Green
9/19 South Florida
9/26 @ West Virgina
10/3 Michigan
10/10 @Ohio State
10/24 Penn State (at M&T Bank)
10/31 @Iowa
11/7 Wisconsin
11/14 @Michigan State
11/21 Indiana
11/28 @Rutgers

For me, the schedule breaks down as this:
Expected wins: Richmond, Bowling Green, USF, Indiana
Could win / Swing Games: @WVU, Michigan, Penn State, @Iowa, @Rutgers
Will lose: @Ohio State, Wisconsin, @Michigan State
Could lose: To everyone except Richmond

In my opinion, the keys to a successful season are getting the expected wins, and winning at-least three of five of the swing games.

It’s hard to envision any scenario where MD is not crushed at Ohio State. I would like to see closer games vs. Wisconsin and Michigan State; but those are games which could easily get out of hand for MD as well.

Losing to Bowling Green would rightfully be perceived as a horrible loss, but it will not be a surprise if the Mid-Atlantic Conference’s East Division favorite pushes the Terps.

West Virginia is a rivalry game. Most previews I’ve seen project them 35th-40th Nationally, and likely to finish 6th or 7th in the Big 12 Conference. This should be a game where MD has a chance to win, with the Mountaineers and their Air-Raid offense being favored in Morgantown.

As you might have heard, Michigan has a new Head Coach. (In addition to the position group previews above, Kiesel also previewed the Wolverines here.) Coach Harbaugh did not take over an empty roster, and it should be expected that he will build that program back to National prominence in the near future. In 2015 though, it remains to be seen what immediate improvement Michigan has. Even though Michigan was down last year, MD winning at Ann Arbor was an accomplishment. Now the Terrapins need to defend their home field and get the division win.

Similarly to the Michigan win, MD accomplished something by winning at Penn State last year. Still, just like Michigan was down, Penn State was still very much compromised by their recruiting restrictions. Another year later, Coach Franklin’s program is that much stronger. The Nittany Lions are going to have plenty of their fans make the trip to Baltimore. This is a game that is going to continue to matter more annually, and have implications within the division and on the recruiting trail. One nice thing is that MD will have two weeks to prepare for this game.

MD is not currently in a position to realistically challenge Ohio State and Michigan State at the top of the Big Ten East. If MD takes care of Michigan at home, and Penn State in Baltimore; the Terps will be poised to finish 3rd in the division for the second straight season. That coupled with the forthcoming facilities advancements and recruiting gains, would give the Terps some growing momentum as a program.

Lose those games, and conversely the gap between MD and the top of the Big Ten East will feel even further.

The time spent discussing Michigan and Penn State is not to dismiss the importance of the Iowa and Rutgers games. The Terps toppled the Hawkeyes last year. Hosting MD here in ’15, I’m sure Iowa has that game circled. The most disappointing game to me last year was the 41-38 home loss to Rutgers to end the regular season, as that L prevented MD from having a winning record in conference play. These are winnable road games. They are also games where MD will likely enter as slight dogs.

Topic 2) What are you most looking forward to watching?

Yannick Ngakoue and Jesse Aniebonam have a chance to be one of the best pass-rushing duos in The Big Ten. It’s vital that they consistently bring heat – particularly in the aforementioned swing games.

Topic 3) Something that concerns you?

How Will Likely is utilized in the return game has to be a difficult question for Coach Edsall. He’s an excellent weapon with the ball in his hands, but obviously he’s also Maryland’s best CB. I don’t like putting your best CB in a position where his injury risk is increased.  In the games against Richmond, Bowling Green, and USF – I would be giving guys like DeAndre Lane, and Will Ulmer (both have plus athleticism) an extended opportunity to emerge.

Topic 4) Something you are hoping to see?

Derwin Gray will not be cleared for contact until September 10th. I was hoping that date would come a bit earlier, and he would be in position to possibly get time in the Bowling Green game. That’s not going to happen. I’d be excited if he was able to jump into the starting lineup for the USF game on the 19th, but that might be a stretch. If he’s physically ready though, I would make the move. Giving him the extended playing time vs. the Bulls could help put the whole offense in better position for the remainder of the year.

I want Maryland to end this year having seen Gray and Damian Prince both gained extensive experience, and looking like stud tackles going forward.

Topic 5) Players that interest you?

The WR Trio of Amba Etta-Tawo, Tavion Jacobs, and Levern Jacobs – I’m really down about the departure of Winfree, but Maryland still has talent with their wideouts. Etta-Tawo has had his moments previously, and it’s great to see the Jacobs Brothers back. Hopefully you can keep these guys on the field consistently, and get each of them involved in the offense early.

Ulmer – We mentioned him above about using him in the return game. The RS Freshman came to MD as a QB, but was quickly transitioned to WR. By all reports, he is a plus athlete. With the departures MD has in the WR corps, there is opportunity in ’15 for Ulmer and true Freshman like Jahrvis Davenport, and D.J. Moore to quickly climb up the depth chart this Fall.

Adam McLean – McLean is still dealing with rehabbing the ACL injury he suffered as a HS Senior. Based on that, it’s unlikely he’s even cleared for contact until the late stages of this year. He might as well Redshirt, and be focused on being ready to contribute next Spring.

Ty Johnson – The Freshman RB has some game-breaking speed. With MD losing Veii, I think there is a chance he gets some regular time behind Brandon Ross, and Wes Brown right away. Going into camp, I had wondered if the MD Coaches might convert him to CB, but that does not seem to be in the cards.

Shane Cockerille – Making the transition from QB to FB, and apparently performing well in camp. Kenneth Goins had a nice year last year, and figures to be the better blocker, and more complete player at FB; but having Cokerille on the field could open up some occasional gadget plays to be accounted for.

Tyler Burke – The RS Freshman LB could easily wind-up getting regular playing time this year.

Transfers Jefferson Ashiru and Avery Edwards  – Ashiru is definitely going to get a lot of time after Abner Logan’s injury. As a Senior, he’s not part of Maryland’s future, but the experience he had as a starter at UConn will be welcomed in College Park in 2015. Looking at the overall depth, it’s a blessing MD was able to add the LB. Edwards has ability, and years of eligibility. The RS Freshman TE made his presence felt yesterday in the Open Scrimmage..

Andrew Isaacs (Jr), Derrick Hayward (Sophomore), Andrew Gray (RS Freshman), PJ Gallo (Jr) – With Edwards, and this group; there is plenty of talent at TE. There needs to be more production from the position.

Topic 6) So, what about QB?

Going into Camp, my general feelings were that I expected Caleb Rowe to be the opening day starter because of his experience with the program. As we’ve seen in recent years, multiple QBs are needed, so I was also happy about the transfer in of Daxx Garman. I didn’t expect Perry Hills to push either one.

Consider me surprised by Tom Dienhart’s (Big Ten Network) report from yesterday that Hills might be the current leader.

I like that Rowe and Garman have similar profiles. I think that is good continuity for the offense if a change (due to performance or injury) has to be made. I like Rowe’s arm. By all reports Garman has similar arm strength or even better. He had eight starts last year for Oklahoma State in the Big 12, so no situation figures to be too big for him. 

However it works out, you have three guys with game experience. They’ve got weapons to use outside. If you get the vertical game going, you can pull defenders from the box, and open up running lanes. There is no tomorrow for these guys. Garman is a Senior. Rowe a RS Jr. Hills is a Jr.  If Rowe or Hills have a very solid season, maybe they hold off Dwayne Haskins as a True Freshman next Fall.

Ideally, one of the three guys grabs the job, and lights up the scoreboard the first weeks vs. Richmond, Bowling Green, and USF. Leads the team to three quick wins, and lets the team build some confidence.

I wonder if a more likely scenario is that we see a revolving door at the position?

Last note on the position, it was interesting to see that True Freshman Gage Shaffer played as much as he did in the scrimmage yesterday.

Topic 7) The Running Game – We briefly mentioned Ross, and Brown as we discussed Ty Johnson above. Their 2014 statistics don’t do justice to their ability in my opinion. Both are talented guys that were running behind a weak offensive line. If the O-line is improved (and by all accounts, it should be), then the running game should be as well. If you can run the ball, the defense will also benefit. If you can’t run, you become one dimensional, and you simply can’t compete.

There are multiple ways to attack defenses. You could spread the field with WR’s and force defenses to go to their Nickle and Dime packages, and pull defenders from the box.

You could go with JUMBO packages, and utilize two TE sets, and the FB.

I don’t care which approach Offensive Coordinator Mike Locksley employs. Realistically the approach will vary by opponent. The bottom-line is that MD was 13th (out of 14) in rushing offense (114 yards per game) during conference play last year. The Terps can increase their ypg by 50, and still might be no better than middle of the pack.

Whatever strategy MD employs, major improvement here is paramount.

Topic 8) What do you get from the Defensive Front 7?

We talked about being excited about the pass rushing potential of Ngakoue, and Aniebonam. We talked about being appreciative that Jefferson Ashiru transferred in.

The biggest change schematically this year, is of course the change to a 4-3 base under new Defensive Coordinator Keith Dudzinski.

There is some potential beyond the previously mentioned names. Jalen Brooks, and Jermaine Carter have some talent at LB. David Shaw is interesting up-front. Hopefully Quinton Jefferson, and Roman Braglio hold up. It is disappointing that Logan, and Malik Jones have been lost to injury; and that McLean wasn’t ready physically to contribute.

One of the strengths of this MD team is the experience in the Secondary. If the Front 7 can be better against the run, and the duo of Ngakoue / Aniebonam actually get to QBs – maybe you have something.

Topic 9) The Attendance?

In 2014, MD had a 13.8 percent increase in football attendance (largest in the Big Ten) and a 25 percent increase in season tickets. What is that looking like this year?

Michigan and Wisconsin figure to be sell outs. The Terps (and PSU) will both have large crowds at M&T Bank. Even Indiana figures to have a large crowd.

What about the opening weeks vs. Richmond, Bowling Green, and USF?

If MD is not going to sell these games out, they should be giving tickets away and filling the stadium. Maryland is trying to build enthusiasm with the program. One of the first things which has to be accomplished is increasing reach and interest. Larger crowds equals better atmosphere. Better atmosphere brings people back.

Topic 10) Final Thoughts

Brad Craddock is a real weapon. Likely (if used in the return game) is as well. As you project the Secondary in coming years, there is reason to worry. For 2015, you have an abundance of experience. The O-line can only be better. There is talent at the skill positions. QB should not be a black hole.

The O-line can be improved, and still not very good. There are more questions than answers with the Defensive Front 7.  Maryland has three games on the schedule (@OSU, @MSU, Wisconsin) where they physically can not compete. Of the five games we have identified as ‘swing’ games, four of them will not be played at College Park.

In a best case scenario, MD wins 9 games, finishes 5-3 in league play, good for 3rd in the East.
In a worst case scenario, the Terps go 5-7, don’t make a bowl, and finish at the bottom of the Division.

I’ll split the difference and say 7-5 overall, 4-4 in The Big Ten.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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