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Written by DCist contributor Brett Gellman
The Maryland Terrapins (4-5, 1-4 ACC) enter Byrd Stadium for their home finale tonight when they take on #8 Boston College (4-1, 4-1 ACC) in an Atlantic Division showdown. The Terps are reeling from a three game losing streak after falling to UNC 16-13 last Saturday while the Eagles national title hopes fizzled after Florida State stunned BC 27-17. Both teams look to rebound after the disappointing losses. While Boston College looks like an easy pick come tonight, Vegas has listed the Eagles as only a 6.5 point favorite. Maryland already knocked off one top-10 team earlier this season in previously ranked #10 Rutgers, but that was when the Terps were healthy.
Maryland still needs two more wins to become bowl eligible, but with a decimated offensive line and injuries across the board, can the Terps pull off another upset on Senior Night?
The Terps have been plagued by an absurd amount of injuries this season, more than any other year Ralph Friedgen has experienced during his coaching tenure. The offensive line has been the most severe casualty and will force the Fridge to start a freshman walk-on at guard. Losses to UVA and UNC have a direct correlation to the hobbled O-line since the running back tandem of Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball both failed to reach more than 100 yards in each of the last three games. Senior guard Andrew Crummey might return next Saturday against Florida State after suffering a broken fibula last month. Until then, the word depth doesn't even exist for this unit.
UMD will have no other option but to throw the ball as Boston College's rush defense is ranked first in Division I, allowing just 522 yards on the ground over 9 games. The question is whether the offensive line will allow QB Chris Turner enough time to get the ball in the air instead of taking a sack for a loss. Receiver Darius Heyward-Bey, the speedy redshirt sophomore from Silver Spring, along with senior tight end Joey Haynos, have both been painfully underutilized this season (which, again, can be attributed to offensive line injuries), but expect them to be Turner's main targets tomorrow night.
Matt Ryan's Heisman hopes took a severe hit after losing to the Seminoles last weekend but he'll have plenty of opportunities to redeem himself against a modest Terrapin secondary (#26 in pass defense). Star linebacker Erin Henderson has proven inhuman by playing with a broken thumb, a lingering knee injury, and now a strained back after a gruesome looking tackle against UNC. But he's the college football equivalent of Brian Westbrook, so expect him to play despite being listed as doubtful. Defensive tackle Travis Ivey could also make a return to the depleted defensive line after suffering an MCL injury in the Georgia Tech game.
Prediction: Matt Ryan's NFL Draft highlight reel might include his performance tonight against the Terps as Maryland has been one of the worst teams to pressure the quarterback this season. Seriously, this could get Redskins-Patriots ugly. I hope I'm wrong. Boston College 31-13.
Toninght's game takes place at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium in College Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will be regionally televised on ABC. Tickets are $42 and can be purchased through the Terrapin Ticket Office.
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