Tomorrow’s game vs. Rutgers, and Clemson the following week; is a two-game swing which will ultimately determine the fate of the Terps 2009 season.
It could also have further implications on a program-level, if the team falls off-a-cliff, and loses both.
If MD can win both games, the Terp Football team has a chance to have a year similar to the previous season for the Terp Basketball team.
After Gary Williams’ Terps lost to Morgan State at-home on January 7th, the wolves were whispering in the distance about it being time for Gary to step-down. The intensity only increased in the following-weeks, with losses at Miami, and FSU. Then MD was embarrassed by Duke, and lost at home to Boston College. All of that game-action was trumped when The Washington Post came out with a 3-part story calling Williams on the carpet for perceived recruiting failures. At that point, it was not just wolves howling in the distance, but screams from seemingly all quarters that change was necessary.
Coach Williams and the Terps responded to that challenge with an emotional home win vs Miami. From that game-on, MD was a different team. They fought hard down the stretch, and were able to make the NCAA Tournament, and advance to the 2nd-round.
Since then, Coach Williams has put together a 2010 recruiting class, currently ranked 7th Nationally by ESPN, and just had his contract extended 1 additional year this week.
If Coach Friedgen can pull out home-wins these next-two weeks, a similar season could occur.
The Terps would be 3-2 (1-0 in the ACC) with the following schedule left:
@Wake Forest
UVA
@Duke
@NCST
VaTech
@FSU
Boston College
An 8-4 season, with a 6-2 record record in the ACC is still possible. 6 ACC wins would have MD positioned for a strong-bowl game (Gator, Peach?) and a chance to end the year on the upswing.
At 1-2, with a loss against Middle Tennessee St at home, and needing OT to beat 1AA James Madison; I know it is hard to envision MD going 7-2 down the stretch, but I do think it is possible.
The Terps are going to play a large amount of teams where the talent is comparable, and the Terps figure to improve as the season progresses. I say that, because I believe in the skill-position talent, and there are continuing signs of the offensive-line improving to the point, that the skill position will get the opportunity to make more plays.
Tomorrow represents the opportunity of a new beginning to this season for the Terps, we will see what direction they go from here.
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.