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Caps Thankful for Varly in 2-0 Win
Thanks to This Week's Advertisers
by DCist contributor Brett Gellman
Last week couldn't have gone much worse for the Atlantic Coast Conference. While Virginia Tech more than held their own before falling to Alabama, there was not one marquee win for the conference. In fact, the ACC had just one victory against an FBS school (Clemson defeated Middle Tennessee State at home). To add insult to injury, not one but two teams fell to FCS (née Division I-AA) schools. And at home, no less!
Both victories came from from the likes of the Colonial Athletic Association: Richmond defeated Duke, while William & Mary stunned Virginia. (Then again, it becomes much easier to win in Charlottesville when the home team turns the ball over seven times. As for the Terps, things unraveled rather quickly during their blowout loss to Cal. In fact, it was the school's worst season-opening result since 1892 (yes, that's the nineteenth century), when Maryland was defeated by noted football powerhouse St. John's of Annapolis.
Maryland (0-1, 0-0 ACC) should find solace in the fact that they'll be back at Byrd Stadium for their home opener -- but as we've quickly learned this season, they should not underestimate their opponent: James Madison, another team from the suddenly upset-driven CAA.
Fortunately for Maryland, the Dukes lost a dangerous weapon in former quarterback Rodney Landers. Landers is a legitimate double threat, who led the team in rushing last season. JMU will instead play two new quarterbacks to fill the void Landers left. But seeing as how this is their first game of the season, they might have some difficulties adjusting the offense against a team hungry for redemption.
The Terps offensive live, already young and thin as it is, lost mammoth left tackle Bruce Campbell to turf toe last week and, despite that, will obviously have to improve their blocking capabilities after a disappointing effort last week. On the flip side, Cal had one of the best defensive fronts the Terrapins will likely face all year. But quarterback Chris Turner will be unable to get the offense going if the line lets Turner repeatedly get sacked like last week, when Turner ate the grass six times.
Maryland also kicks off a four game homestand this Saturday; three games against non-conference opponents, and then the Terps kick off their ACC slate against Clemson come the beginning of October. Head coach Ralph Friedgen seems optimistic that his young team will be able to mature and develop during this time, but a win is the only appropriate medicine after last week's waxing.
Prediction: Maryland 26-10. The Terps have a reputation of playing down to their opponent's level, so expect this game to be a close one. Then again, Maryland probably want to rid themselves of the bad taste the Golden Bears left in their mouths. Maybe that means we'll see Don Brown's aggressive defense finally display itself as it was, for the most part, nonexistent in Memorial Stadium. JMU is currently ranked sixth in the FCS, and as we've already learned with Duke and UVA, an upset is certainly possible. The Terps should be victorious here, but with such an inexperienced offensive line, it will likely be a low-scoring affair.
Saturday's game takes place at Byrd Stadium in College Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm and will be streamed live on ESPN360. Tickets start at $27 and can be purchased through the Terrapin Ticket Office.
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we kept it close - all hail the caa!