Photo by benmiller23.I don’t think this is what the ACC envisioned when they originally scheduled this matchup. In what should be branded as “The Offseason Bowl”, the University of Maryland and the University of Miami will take the field on Labor Day evening for a nationally televised conference opener in College Park.
A lot has changed for the Terrapins and Hurricanes since they concluded their bowl games last December, notably their coaching staffs. Randy Edsall wasted little time accepting the job as head coach for the Terrapins after he led the University of Connecticut to their first-ever BCS bowl.
Meanwhile, former Temple head coach Al Golden has taken the reigns from Randy Shannon after spending the last five seasons in Philadelphia. His job, if you haven’t heard, has become a little more challenging recently.
So now we have two programs with brand new head coaches under the lights in a pivotal ACC contest. Unfortunately, most of the attention will be focused towards Miami and the dark cloud that hangs above the university’s head following the Nevin Shapiro scandal. The Hurricanes will be missing eight players on Monday night, including starting quarterback Jacory Harris. The biggest loss, however, is senior linebacker and Preseason All-ACC candidate Sean Spence. To add insult to injury, Miami’s entire defensive line is plagued by suspensions and injuries.
Former Miami wide receiver Leonard Hankerson, who snatched defeat from the jaws of victory for the Terps with a touchdown catch with less than a minute left last season, is now on the Washington R******s. That leaves Miami with sophomore quarterback Stephen Morris, who starts for the second time against the very same team he made his debut against, with senior LaRon Byrd as his only proven wideout on the roster in week one. (The Miami receiving corps will see significant improvement once Travis Benjamin can rejoin the team after serving a one-game suspension — not that it’ll help them on Monday.)
As for Maryland, they return 14 starters from last season’s 9-4 team which concluded with Ralph Friedgen’s swan song against East Carolina in the Military Bowl. Starting under center is ACC Rookie of the Year Danny O’Brien. Not only will O’Brien have to adjust to first-year offensive coordinator Gary Crowton and his up-tempo system, but he will also need to find a go-to receiver after Torrey Smith was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens.
Running back experience might be a problem for Maryland, as senior tailback Davin Meggett is followed by two freshmen on the depth chart. D.J. Adams, who carved a niche for himself as a third down back last season, has been suspended for the Miami game due to a violation of team rules. On the defensive front, senior linebacker Kenny Tate looks to have a breakout season despite switching from safety, a position he has played at Maryland the last three seasons. Named one of the team’s co-captains, Tate is a Preseason All-ACC selection and is under four watch lists for the nation’s top linebacker.
Prediction: 24-21, Maryland. Just because Miami is missing some of their starters does not necessarily mean their backups are slouches. The U has always recruited athletic talent, so this game will be closer than most think. Miami controlled the line of scrimmage very well against Maryland last year, but a depleted defensive line may not replicate the same result come Monday night.
Sophomore running back Lamar Miller might be Miami’s best chance of putting points on the board given Morris’ inexperience under center as well as Travis Benjamin’s absence. In the end, O’Brien’s passing game might prove too much for a ‘Canes defense that will be without much of its star power.
Monday’s game takes place at Byrd Stadium in College Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPN and ESPN 3D. Tickets start at $48 and can be purchased through the Terrapin Ticket Office.
