College Football 2011: 8 Opponents We Want on Maryland's Future Schedules
Coming off a 9-4 2010 campaign, Maryland will look to continue its success in 2011 with new head coach Randy Edsall.
Other than the ACC, Maryland plays a couple of big-time programs in Notre Dame and West Virginia.
2011 schedule:
September 5th - Miami (FL)
September 17th - West Virginia
September 24th - Temple
October 1st - Towson
October 8th - @ Georgia Tech
October 15th - Clemson
October 22nd - @ Florida State
October 29th - Boston College
November 5th - Virginia
November 12th - Notre Dame
November 19th - @ Wake Forest
November 26th - @ North Carolina State
Because of the rise of Temple, the Terrapins' schedule is loaded from top to bottom. The only "cupcake" is Towson.
They have beefed up their schedule this season, and I would like to see that trend continue.
Here are eight teams that we would love to see on the Terrapins' future schedules.
8. Utah
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With Utah fleeing to what was the PAC-10, scheduling a BCS conference program would be a good idea for Maryland.
Utah will be looking to beef up their non-conference schedule and Maryland could be a team they would look into.
The Utes are accustomed to being a program that has struggled to find talented opponents to help their schedule, but that won't be the case anymore. Teams will be knocking on their door instead of the other way around, and Maryland should knock on the Utes' door.
Possible Matchup: 2014-2015
7. Colorado
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Like Utah, scheduling another BCS conference program would be a good idea. Playing Colorado would be much better than playing a Towson or Bowling Green.
The team doesn't carry the prestige that USC or Oregon does, but it should be a little easier to strike a deal with the Buffaloes.
Maryland could see if the team would be interested in a two-year contract.
Possible Matchup: 2014-2015
6. TCU
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TCU will be moving to the Big East Conference in 2012.
As they are a great team already and now are getting ready to join a BCS conference, the Horned Frogs would be a perfect team to schedule in the future.
Since 2008, the Horned Frogs are 36-3. They have shown no signs of slowing down. Expecting them to be a solid team in the future would be a smart estimation.
Possible Matchup: 2015-2016
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5. Boise State
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Boise State is always looking to strengthen their schedule. If Maryland happens to have a few great seasons under head coach Edsall, Boise State could come calling.
The Broncos don't seem to be letting up anytime soon. The team continuously shakes up the BCS every year. Last season, the team was close to breaking through.
Taking a chance on Boise State being great several years down the road could be a risk to some people, but it is a risk worth taking.
Possible Matchup: 2015-2016
4. Michigan
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Michigan hasn't been the same program in the past few years. However, they are a historic program filled with rich tradition that only accepts winning.
The team hasn't been winners lately, but that doesn't mean they won't be in the future. That is why Maryland should jump at the opportunity now and reap the benefits when they do play the Wolverines.
Maintaining success will allow Maryland to continue to build their schedule, year in and year out. Playing Michigan a couple of years down the road could start the journey.
Possible Date: 2014-2015
3. Wisconsin
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Wisconsin has been one of the most consistent programs in college football. They have become a program that fans expect to be around the top of their conference every season.
This is why scheduling the Badgers would be great for Maryland. Whether it is four, five or even 10 years down the road, Wisconsin would probably be a Top 10 team.
Last season, Wisconsin played UNLV, San Jose State, Austin Peay and Arizona State. In 2011, the Badgers play Northern Illinois, UNLV, South Jose State and Oregon State.
For fans, seeing Wisconsin penciled in the schedule would probably make this the game to watch outside of the ACC.
Possible Matchup: 2015-2016
2. USC
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There is little doubt that USC will remain a power in 10 to 15 years.
The Trojans don't mind mixing up their schedule, year in and year out. Last year, the team played Hawaii and Minnesota on the road and hosted Virginia.
In 2011, the team hosts Minnesota and Syracuse in the month of September.
Playing USC isn't a stretch in the upcoming future. If Edsall really wants to beef up the schedule, USC could be a great chance to do that.
Possible Matchup: 2017-2018
1. Ohio State
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Who knows how the Ohio State Buckeyes will bounce back after what the program has endured this year? But my best guess is, they'll be back.
Why wouldn't you want to play a program as pristine as "The Ohio State University?" It would be a great recruiting tool, solid for BCS rankings and a great measuring-stick game for Edsall's team.
With Texas on the radar in 2017 and 2018, the makings of a great non-conference schedule for Maryland is on the rise. If the Terrapins can get Texas to play them, why couldn't they get Ohio State?
This may depend on whether or not Edsall can be successful at the university. If the team maintains success over a couple of seasons, Ohio State could be another big-time program on the Terrapins' schedule in the future.
Possible Matchup: 2019-2020
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