In late April I asked, ‘What are the appropriate expectations for Maryland Football in 2011?’ With the season starting tomorrow night, the answer to that question is still not completely clear.
The University of Maryland finished the 2010 Football Season #23 in the Associated Press Poll with a 9-4 overall record, including 5-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Typically, a team returning the amount of talent Maryland is, that played well the year prior; would be entering the year with a bit more National recognition.
To me, I think there are 4 main reasons this Terps team is entering the 2011 season outside the National rankings:
1) I think it is clear that the Coaching staff change from Ralph Friedgen to Randy Edsall (and the Coordinators) has College Football Prognosticators in a ‘wait and see’ mode.
Thoughts: This is understandable, as a change in leadership at the top is always a major transition. However, the ACC’s Coach of the Year is being replaced by the Big East’s Coach of the Year. It is not as if the Terps have downgraded their staff.
2) There have been a number of departures from the program since Coach Edsall’s arrival, which has sapped a bit of the depth of the roster.
Thoughts:I think any worries about the loss of depth, have to be balanced by the increased attention to detail, and focus which often comes with higher levels of discipline.
3) The Terps have to replace Torrey Smith, LaQuan Williams, Adrian Cannon etc. from their WR core.
Thoughts: It is easier to replace WR’s, when you have a highly capable QB returning. With players like Dorsey, McCree, Boykins, Tyler, Coxson, Campbell, Furstenburg etc.; O’Brien has plenty of skill position talent to throw to. O’Brien excelled last year in part because he was willing to spread the ball around. That should only increase in 2011.
4) College Football has plenty of fans in the Baltimore/Washington Metro, but the local Football coverage is dominated by the NFL’s Ravens and Redskins. The lack of attention locally (as compared to locales where College is King), helps to limit the National coverage received.
I see a lot to like about this Terps roster.
QB: O’Brien, Brown
Thoughts: O’Brien was the ACC Freshman of the Year, and many consider him the best QB in the Conference. He should give MD a chance to win every week. Brown’s teammates talk about his athleticism, and the Coaching staff talked about how Brown was pushing O’Brien. He is a snap away from playing, and you have to be pleased with having that depth.
RB: Meggett, Adams, Wilson, Pickett
Thoughts: Meggett led the team in rushing last year (720 yards), and averaged 5.7 yards per carry. Said to be in better shape this year, he needs to be a better weapon as a receiver out of the backfield. Adams is suspended for the opener, but I think he will be more than a goal line rusher this year. Wilson is a converted DB, and Pickett is a True Freshman. Will be interesting to see if either emerges a bit during the year.
FB: Cierski, Moore
Thoughts: The FB depth was limited with the departures of Taylor Watson, and Haroon Brown. True Freshman Tyler Cierski is listed as the starting FB, and starting tomorrow night we will see how much he is utilized in Coach Crowton’s offense.
TE: Furstenburg, Campbell
Thoughts: The Jr. Furstenburg was 3rd on the team with 206 yards receiving last year. Coming out of HS, Furstenburg was a 4 Star recruit by Scout.com, and is seen as a better blocker than Campbell. Campbell was a SuperPrep All-American, and Rivals.com ranked him 9th nationally among Prep players in ’07. Both will be used, I think Campbell has a chance to be a physical mismatch against LB’s.
WR: Dorsey, McCree, Tyler, Boykins, Logan, Coxson, Cheeseboro, etc
Thoughts: Dorsey was a PrepStar All-American, 4 Star recruit by both Rivals, and Scout. The Junior is in his 4th year at Maryland, after Redshirting in ’08. Big things expected for the Senior McCree, who has always been known for his speed (10.56 in the 100 yard dash). In ’09, Tyler started 5 games and caught 28 balls. In ’10, Tyler started just 1 game and saw his receptions fell to 13. Expect more from the Senior here in ’11. Boykins is another 4th year Jr, who Scout ranked as the 20th best WR Nationally coming out of HS. Was also in ESPN’s Top 150 players overall. Coxson is a Baltimore native who transferred from the University of Florida last year. Scout had Coxson as a 4 star talent, and the 19th best WR Nationally in his class.
These players have to step-up, and emerge starting tomorrow; but there is plenty of talent at WR for Maryland.
O-Line: Garcia, Gonnella, Fulper, Cary, Dill (Klemm, Arnett, Conaboy, White, Gilbert, Blue, Wheeler, Clarke)
Thoughts: One of the reasons I am excited about this Terps team, is the depth on the Offensive line. This has been a weakness over the last couple of years, but looks improved here in ’11. Klemm got into 11 games last year, and can help at either Tackle position. Arnett arrived in College Park as a one of the top Defensive End recruits in the Country. Rivals had him in their Top 100 prospects overall in the ’09 class. Moved to the O-line, his athleticism figures to stand out at some point. Conaboy Redshirted last year, and was the 10th ranked OG in the Nation according to Scout. As a RS Freshman last year, White got into 8 games at both Guard positions. White was very highly regarded coming into College Park, ranked 5th Nationally among OG’s by Scout. Gilbert is out until October, but started 3 games at LT last year. Blue is another converted D-lineman, and the Columbia, MD local was a 3 star talent in the Rivals rankings.
D-Line: Mackall, Vellano, Francis, Ross (Johnson, Monroe, Hampton, Anderson, Bowers)
Thoughts: I like that the Terps are going to use a 4-3 front, and I’m looking forward seeing what havoc Mackall can create off the edge. He lacks ideal size, but the speed of the converted LB is going to be hard for OT’s to contend with. If he is the force many believe he can be, MD’s defense will be better than advertised. Vellano was a 1st team All-ACC Pre-season selection by many. Francis was a Freshman All-American in 2009, and the 4th year Jr. was named as 3rd team All-ACC Pre-season selection by Phil Steele. Ross is an athletic Jr. who has played in 21 games. Anderson is out for another Month. Monroe opened a lot of eyes in the Spring.
LB: Tate, Hartsfield, Drakeford (Rowson, Goree, Graham, Twine)
Thoughts: Each of the starters have the ability to compete for All-ACC honors. Tate has been converted from Safety, but by his own admission the change is minimal. He spent an extended amount of time playing up on the line last year. Tate is a consensus 1st team All-ACC preseason pick, and on several All-American lists. Hartsfield is a 4th year JR, 2 year start at the Will LB position, replacing Wujciak at the Mike. Very athletic, and should pile up the tackles in ’11. The Jr. Drakeford also brings speed and power to the table, and I like him to emerge as a full-time starter this year. Depth is a bit of an issue here, with Goree and Graham probably the two leading options. Graham is converting from the Secondary, and helps give the LB core additional speed.
CB: Johnson, McDougle, Chism (Hughes, Hendy, etc)
Thoughts: Johnson was a Redshirt last year, ranked 78th Nationally by Scouts. McDougle is a 3rd year Sophomore, who Rivals ranked as the 76th best Athlete in the ’09 class. He got into 11 games last year. The Senior Chism returns as a starter, and appeared on some pre-season All-ACC lists. Rivals had him as the 20th ranked CB coming out of HS. The Senior Hughes has played in each of Maryland’s last 25 games, and started every game last year. Might be the best athlete at the CB position. Hendy is a true Freshman, that was pretty well regarded (32nd ranked CB by Rivals). Maryland would probably like to avoid using him, but should injuries arise, he could be forced into action.
Safety: Franklin, Robinson (Till, Green, Walker)
Thoughts: Franklin is a Jr. who started two games last year, and had a pick in the Military Bowl. Was 1st team All-Baltimore City, and 2nd team All-Metro for Curley in HS. Robinson got into every game last year as Freshman. Has good size (6’3, 220). Scout had Robinson as the 58th best TE. He was 1st team All-Metro honors by both The Baltimore Sun, and Washington Post (at WR, and TE). Till, who RS in ’10, was a Super Prep All-American, and 4 star recruit according to Rivals.
ST: Ferrara (P/K), Pickett (KR), Logan (PR)
Thoughts: Ferrara was a Freshman All-American in ’09 as a PK. He also punted in 5 games. In ’10, he injured his groin early and was never the same. Did see time on Kickoffs, though and had success. Would like to see him hit a couple of FG’s tomorrow, and get off to a positive start. Logan is a consensus 1st team All-ACC pre-season pick at Punt Returner, and 2nd team All-America selection by Phil Steele.
Baltimore Sports and Life’s Week by Week Predictions:
9/5: Miami (W)
9/17: West Virginia (L)
9/24: Temple (W)
10/1: Towson (W)
10/8: @ Georgia Tech (W)
10/15: Clemson (W)
10/22: @ Florida State (L)
10/29: Boston College (W)
11/5: Virginia (W)
11/12: vs. Notre Dame @ Fed Ex Field (L)
11/19: @ Wake Forest (W)
11/26: @ NCST (L)
= 8-4 (6-2) I am hedging a bit with these picks. MD might be an underdog against West Virginia (the favorite in the Big East), but that home game is basically a pick’em in my mind. If Maryland wins that game, the Terps have a chance to go on a run to start the year and really gain a lot of National attention. The Terps will obviously have lots of fans on hand for the Notre Dame game, but that will not be a true home game, as the Irish will travel as well. Despite what we saw out of Notre Dame yesterday against South Florida, many have projected the Irish as a potential BCS team in ’11. The only game on the Maryland schedule where I would be surprised if they won, is at Florida State. Not because I think Maryland can not compete, but because the Seminoles are considered a dark-horse National contender and will be at home.
Here are some links to some Q&A’s we have conducted leading up to the season:
David Glenn, ACC Sports Journal (Posted 8/27)
https://baltimoresportsandlife.com/?p=2848
Patrick Stevens, Washington Times (Posted 6/22)
https://baltimoresportsandlife.com/?p=2579
Tom Dienhart, Rivals /Yahoo Sports & Steven Lassan, Athlon (Posted 5/30)
https://baltimoresportsandlife.com/?p=2516
Brandon Pertner, Phil Steele Publications & Steve Megargee, Rivals / Yahoo Sports (Posted 3/19)
https://baltimoresportsandlife.com/?p=2256
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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.