Maryland Terrapins vs. Clemson: Starting Quarterback Controversy in College Park

Few would have predicted in the beginning of the season that ACC Preseason Player of the Year pick Danny O'Brien would be fighting for his job at any point.

After throwing only four touchdowns and six interceptions in Maryland Terrapins' (2-3) first five games, O'Brien is entrenched in battle for the starting quarterback position.

Head coach Randy Edsall is working desperately to stabilize the situation in College Park in order to ensure that Maryland is eligible for a bowl bid. He has repeatedly stated that he will not name a starter until immediately prior to Saturday's game.

In the second half of last week's game against then No. 13 Georgia Tech, Edsall replaced O'Brien with fellow redshirt sophomore C.J. Brown. Although Brown threw for just 36 yards (four for 17, one interception), he ran for 124 yards on nine carries. Brown's rushing ability left the Georgia Tech defense on its heels and sparked the Terps to a near second-half comeback.

O'Brien, a drop-back passer, has struggled to remain consistent since an outstanding Week 1 performance against Miami. Brown's dual-threat abilities have many predicting he will start under center for the first time in his college career.

Furthermore, Maryland's injury-riddled offensive line (particularly, the well-publicized loss of senior offensive lineman Andrew Gonnella) may not be in a position to provide O'Brien sufficient time to make plays downfield at this point in the season.

With that said, O'Brien should be the starter on Saturday evening. Though it looks like he will probably begin the game on the bench, he has already proven himself over the course of an entire season in which he passed for 2,438 yards. He has had limited time to learn and to adjust to first-year offensive coordinator Gary Crowton's game plan.

O'Brien may be essential to the Terps' success over the next few years. He has demonstrated he has the talent to succeed on the national level. To abandon O'Brien in the face of adversity in an effort to quiet a few critics would be a mistake. Even if Danny O'Brien does not start this week, he will certainly not be phased out of Maryland's long-term plans. 

Until Edsall names a starter, Clemson will be guessing like the rest of us. Regardless of who lines up behind center, expect to see O'Brien take at least a few snaps on Saturday evening.