2006 Maryland Football

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The Terrapins managed 3 ACC wins last season but the 2006 Maryland football team won’t be able to count on any. Virginia, N.C. State, and Wake Forest will likely be their only chances for a conference win. This will be hard to take for coach Ralph Friedgen, who went 31-8 in his first 3 season with the Terrapins and recorded an ACC Championship in 2001. The Terrapins haven’t made it to a bowl each of the past 2 seasons finishing 5-6 on the year and with the loss of their top playmaker to the NFL, wide receiver Vernon Davis, they’ll be going even further down the drain. 

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One thing that will definitely contribute to a better season is offensive efficiency. Quarterback Scott Hollenbach turned the ball over 15 times through the air and coughed it up 5 times on the ground last season. If he is able to cut his turnovers in half, the Terps will have a shot in a lot more games.

It was undoubtedly the defense which carried Maryland last season, but with the loss of 5 starters, they’ll have plenty of holes to fill, especially at linebacker with the loss of All-American D’Quell Jackson who was the Terps’ leading tackler the past 3 seasons. Maryland’s defense against the pass, which was good for 19th in the nation last year holding opponents to just 184.8 yards per game, will once again be strong and the Terrapins will really be able to benefit if the secondary can come up with a few more takeaways than they did a season ago. Expect big things from cornerback Josh Wilson and free safety Christian Varner.

Maryland is hoping for a revitalized running attack, with the return of Josh Allen from knee surgery, to take some pressure off Hollenbach. I just don’t see it happening so it’s a good thing the Terps have the best returning punter in the ACC as he’ll be getting plenty opportunities to shine again this season.

Maryland is looking at a 4-8 season in 2006.