ACC Preview (Maryland)

Maryland – Last year (9-4, 5-3) Returning Starters: 14 (7 off., 7 def.)

Maryland exceeded expectations last year as it went 9-4, including a five game winning streak over the likes of Florida State, Clemson, and Miami, as well as a bowl win over Purdue. Maryland must replace Quarterback Sam Hollenbach if it hopes to continue winning.

Offense: Maryland’s top returning Quarterback, Jordan Steffy, was 0-5 with and interception last year. Those numbers aren’t exactly promising for a team that wants to build on a 9 win season and try to challenge for the ACC crown. Maryland does return it’s top two rushers in Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore who combined for over 1500 yards and 11 TDs, as well as its top four two receivers in WR Darrius Heyward-Bay, WR Danny Oquendo, WR Isaiah Williams, and TE Joey Haynos. The Quarterback transition should be easier considering the talent returning to the perimeter, and with three offensive linemen coming back, Maryland’s offense should be about where it was last year; middle of the ACC.

Defense: If Maryland has any chance of improving its 9-4 campaign from a year ago, its defense must improve. The Terrapins ranked 10th in points allowed (21.8), rush defense (162.9), and total defense (360.6). Maryland does return all four members of its defensive line, and they must progress, or Maryland will be shredded on the ground again this year. Maryland returns its leading tackler in Erin Henderson, but must replace David Holloway and Wesley Jefferson. Replacing them will be Dave Philistin and Chase Bullock, but look for talented r-frosh Alex Wujciak to get a lot of playing time at middle-linebacker. Maryland gave up nearly 200 yards a game last year, and must replace two of the starters in the secondary, which does not bode well for trying to improve on those numbers. Isaiah Gardner returns at corner and will be joined by Kevin Barnes, while Christian Varner returns at strong safety. Senior J.J. Justice takes over responsibility at free safety.

Special Teams: Maryland must replace its kicker and punter, as well as its KR. Wideout Danny Oquendo will return punts, and freshman Da’Rel Scott should take over returning kicks. Obi Egekeze will kick and Chris Roberts will punt, and both are juniors.

Conclusion: Maryland won nine games last year, but only just. They return enough players to stay competitive, but are unlikely to have the same results from last year as the much of the rest of the ACC will be better this year than last.

S 1st Villanova W
S 8th at Florida International W
S 13th West Virginia L
S 22nd at Wake Forest L
S 29th at Rutgers L
O 6th Georgia Tech L
O 20th Virginia W
O 27th Clemson L
N 3rd at North Carolina W
N 10th Boston College L
N 17th at Florida State L
N 24th at NC State W