Photo by benmiller23.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.
