Terps Looking To Rebound In 2010

Heading into each season, every coach and team creates a list of goals they want to accomplish.  Favorites include having a winning season, making a bowl game, winning the conference championship, and if they’re lucky and good, perhaps winning the BCS Championship.  Maryland can forget about an ACC title or playing in a BCS bowl game, but a winning season is definitely within reach.  To achieve this goal, Maryland must do the following:

Beat Clemson.  Many Terrapin faithful will point to the season opener against Navy as the must win game, but the critical game on the schedule is at Clemson on October 2^nd.  Maryland will likely finish the non-conference schedule 2-2, and should beat Duke at home in their first ACC game.  With three road games and three home games after the Clemson game, beating the Tigers would allow the Terps to play even the rest of the season.  Of course a lot has to happen after beating Clemson, but sitting at 4-2 midway through the season will do a lot for an improved, but young Maryland squad.

Get back to “Protecting this House.”  The Terps were just 2-5 at home last year. If the Terps want to get back to a bowl game, they must finish 5-1 at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium this year.  The home schedule is manageable with Morgan State, Florida International, Duke, Wake Forest, Florida State and N.C. State.  FSU is likely a loss, but the Terps should take care of business against the rest of the teams.

Two significant reasons why the Terps were dreadful in home games last season were they gave almost three sacks per game and were -9 in turnovers.  Protecting the house begins with protecting the quarterback and the ball. 

Improve the rushing defense/Red Zone defense.  The Terps allowed over 150 yards rushing per game, and nearly four yards per carry last year making it too easy for their opponents to manage the clock, control field position and score a lot of points.  The lack of good play on this side of the ball took its toll, and basically forced DC Don Brown to abandon his attacking scheme that made him so successful at UMass.  If this stat does not improve, 2010 will end up just as bad as 2009.

In addition, the Terps need to strengthen their Red Zone defense.  Opponents renamed it the Party Zone because they celebrated every time they made it there.  In 2009, Maryland allowed 43 drives into their Red Zone, and gave up 23 touchdowns and 14 field goals.  Reducing the number of drives and points scored in the Red Zone are major keys to the Terps having good year.

Finally, the Terps need to rush for 150 yards per game.  With all the running backs returning, including senior Da’Rel Scott, getting a huge increase in rushing production is possible.  Scott is coming off an injury plagues 2009 season seeking a return to his 2008 form when he rushed for over 1100 yards.  With proven backups on the sidelines, Head Coach Ralph Friedgen should have the luxury of managing Scott’s workload and keep him healthy for the entire season.

A stronger running game will open up the Terps’ passing attack, especially with the return of First Team All-ACC receiver Torrey Smith.  Coupled with veterans’ Adrian Cannon and Ronnie Tyler, the Terps’ passing game should be potent. 

If the Terps can accomplish these five goals, they will be a much improved team this year.  Furthermore, Friedgen is coaching for his job and the players will be desperately trying to erase last season’s misery so finishing 7-5 and going to a lower tiered bowl should happen.  Anything less would be a major disappointment.