Article Season Preview: Maryland

Two seasons ago, Randy Edsall left UConn like "a thief in the night" to take over what was thought at the time to be one of the most stagnant programs in the ACC. Incumbent coach Ralph Friedgen had other ideas. After an 8-4 2010 season that saw Maryland OC James Franklin take the HC job at Vanderbilt, and after athletic director Kevin Anderson Friedgen another year at MAryland, Anderson then reversed cours and brought in Edsall to "modernize" the Maryland program. That's been the portion of Edsall's tenure ith the LEAST tension. Almost immediately, through transfers and injuries, his program was plunged into uncertainty and controversy. With an influx of cash into the program from Under Armour, and the enrolling of superstar WR Stephon Diggs, Maryland was supposed to be well on their way to the top of the ACC, but a shocking defection to the Big Ten means Maryland will be in the unenviable position of being a lame duck team in a conference full of coaches and AD's who'd love to give the Terrapins something to remember them by.

The offense never got on the tracks last year, given the injury of all four scholarship quarterbacks. Freshman linebacker Shawn Petty was thrown to the wolves, and the coaching staff had to throw together a sloppy read-option "system" in order to compete. This year, OC Mike Locksley should be considerably better off at the position. Ricard oYoung was the starter all spring, but he may just be a "seat warmer" for CJ Brown, who the Terps were expecting big things out of before injury in summer camp last year. Young hasn't seen live action since 2009, when he was a Gatorade Player of the Year in Washington DC before enrolling in and then transferring from Virginia Tech. Coaches say what will separate them will be grasp of the offense and ability to keep the ball.

At running back, Wes Brown has the best combination of speed and power, but won't have much confidence in his surgically repaired shoulder. SO Brandon Ross looked great in spring camp, and will figure into the "carries" situation.

At receiver, the situation begins and ends with Diggs. An explosive, if temperamental, talent as a freshman, he recorded the second highest "total yards" total in the history of the program. He will have some help, however, as JuCo All-American transfer Deon Long will provide much-needed options on the other side of Diggs. NM transfer TE Daniel Adams provides a huge checkdown target.

On defense, the loss of DT Joe Vellano and his nonstop motor will be felt more than the coaching staff would like to admit. Darius Kilgo will try to fill his shoes, and has the talent to be even better, but questions about his desire to be an every down DT in a 3-4 scheme remain. DE Keith Bowers will look to rebound after a disappointing 2012 season.

At LB, JR Cole Farrand will provide leadership and experience as the only returning starter on this unit. JR L.A. Goree has talent, and some experience, but lack of tested depth at linebacker will be a persisting issue for the Terps this year.

The secondary has slightly more experience, with both Jeremiah Johnson and Dexter McDougle returning from last years unit. Johnson is quickly gaining a league-wide reputation as a lockdown corner. At safety, Anthony Nixon and Sean Davis battled injury last year, and will look to gain experience and confidence as the season goes on this year.

Projected Record: 8-4
Projected Order of Finish: 3rd (ACC Atlantic)