The Maryland Terrapins have found life to be very difficult in the Big Ten, but they were able to somehow make a bowl game last year, a tremendous accomplishment under all the circumstances. Now, can the Terps find a way to do it again? They will not have an easy road.
How Did They End 2016
Maryland had a brutal, backloaded schedule in 2016, so when the Terrapins lost three straight blowouts to Ohio State, Michigan and Nebraska, they realized they were simply outclassed. No one expected Maryland to win any of those late-season games. The focus had to be on the other games, and Maryland won just enough of them – over Purdue and an unexpectedly shaky Michigan State squad – to put itself in position to make a bowl game. After those three consecutive losses to Big Ten powers, Maryland was still 5-6 heading into its 12th and final regular season game against Rutgers. The Terps did not blow the opportunity. They won comfortably, 31-13, to punch their ticket to the Quick Lane Bowl. They lost to Boston College but put up a good fight. This program showed resilience and the kind of attitude head coach D.J. Durkin had to love as he settled in as the boss in College Park.
Offseason Changes
Jarrett Ross and two other members of the 2016 defensive backfield are gone. Quarterback Perry Hills is also gone. Maryland has suffered a lot of quarterback injuries over the years, so quarterbacks at the program know they need to be ready… and that they will get their chance to contribute. This team will immediately be tested out of the gate, so everyone in the program will get a good look at what the offense looks like in the September 2 opener at Texas. Maryland can’t expect to win that game, but it needs to learn a lot of lessons so that it can win against UCF a few weeks later. More on that contest in a little bit.
Team X-Factor
Whoever emerges at quarterback has to stabilize the offense. Maryland had absolutely nothing to offer against Ohio State and Michigan. A lot of other teams struggled against the Buckeyes and Wolverines, but Maryland obviously needs to grow and develop its offensive talent. This offense took advantage of terrible defenses but did nothing against good defenses. Being able to perform better against quality opposition will be a main goal for this team in 2017. Quarterback has to provide more – and better – answers against strong defenses.
What To Expect From The Terrapins This Year
Making a bowl was a pleasant surprise. It will be hard to replicate that feat this season. Maryland needs to emphasize quality of performance. If that ingredient exists, this program can feel it is on the right track. Playing in the Big Ten East Division means Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State will always be on the schedule. That is rough, so Maryland has to be able to make gains and improvements elsewhere on the schedule.
Record Last 5 Seasons
2016: 6-7
2015: 3-9
2014: 7-6
2013: 7-6
2012: 4-8
Schedule and Outlook
We’ll know a lot about Maryland right off the bat. They’re going to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns in Week 1. Texas is a 17-point favorite at last check but if Maryland can be competitive, that would be a great sign for their season. If they get pounded, it’s going to be a long year.
Towson and Rutgers should be easy wins. Maryland will have a hard time finding enough wins to make a bowl game, but its ability to upset Michigan State last year helped the effort to make a bowl game. If Maryland can pick off the Spartans again, and then beat UCF in September, it will have a chance to make a bowl game. The key games then become a road trip to Minnesota and a home game against Indiana. Maryland has a path to a bowl, but it is narrow, and it is ultimately hard to expect the Terps to win each game against equally skilled opponents. The Terps will win more than three games, though.
Regular Season Win Total Prediction: Over 3.5
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