Maryland Terrapins Football: 5 Things to Look Foward to for Upcoming Season

The Maryland Terrapins started the last season with a big win against Miami and jerseys that caught America's eyes. After that, it was all downhill for Randy Edsell and the Terps, as they finished the season with a 2-10 record.

With the start of spring practices approaching, last season is behind the Terps, and they look to improve their record and contend for the Orange Bowl once again.

Here are some things to look forward as the season inches a little closer.

Randy Edsall: Second Year

It was a tough inaugural season for Randy Edsall with the Terrapins head coach. No one predicted that the Terps would only win two games the whole season.

The first year is definitely the hardest, as coaches didn't recruit their own players for the master plan to turn the football program around.

Now, with a whole year under his belt, offseason workouts and his own recruiting class, expect major things this season.

This is the year that can make or break Edsall: either win more games or he can pack his bags.

C.J. Brown: Quarterback Development

Last year, C.J. Brown was thrown into the starting lineup after Danny O'Brien went down with a thumb injury.

During his time as a starter, Brown was the only silver lining of a slow offensive attack for the Terps. Now, with O'Brien transferring to Wisconsin, Brown is the starter for the 2012 season.

The junior quarterback has a lot riding on his shoulders now, as he takes this Maryland team into a rugged ACC schedule. Just like his coach, Randy Edsall, it was Brown's first season to get all the kinks out and become used to being a starter.

The development of Brown is key for the Terps season: without the captain of the ship, the Terps don't go too far.

Brian Stewart: New Defense

The offense was not the only thing that needed a new face lift for Maryland—it was the defense as well. After being ranked 108th in defense in the FBS things had to change quickly.

The Terps ended up bringing Brian Stewart in from Houston, after a stellar season in Conference USA, where the defense ranked in the top 15 in efficiency. Williams took no time in revamping his new defense with position changes and even installing his 3-4 defense. The biggest move made thus far was the position change of Kenny Tate to strong side linebacker.

Tate has had some repetitions as linebacker last season before a knee injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. This year, the defense should be out for blood and more hungry than last season for sure.

Recruiting Class: New Faces

Maryland has some great prospects coming in hopefully ready to change the face of a hurt program. Randy Edsall was on the recruiting trail for the first time as a Maryland coach, and he did not disappoint.

This is a great start, after 27 players decided to transfer after Edsall's first year as head coach.

Players like Stefon Diggs, Wes Brown and Albert Reid are sure to bring some spark to the offensive side of the ball. Diggs was the No. 13 prospect in the country, one of Maryland's highest-rated prospects in history.

This class should change the tides in College Park for the 2012 season.

Uniforms: X-Factor

Even though they weren't winning last year, the Terrapins still had some nice uniforms. During each game, you had to keep your eyes open to see what part of the Maryland flag would be on display on the Terps' uniforms. 

Under Armour made the Terps look more dangerous then they were last season, something close to the hype behind the University of Oregon jerseys. This year, you can only imagine what the Terps uniforms will look like—more eye-popping colors.