2008 Maryland College Football Predictions

The Terps have finished around the .500 mark in three of the last four seasons and fans are desperate for a breakout year. Maryland will go to a new West Coast style attack to try to give it to them, but will it work out? Jimmy Boyd shoots straight in his 2008 Maryland Terrapins predictions and season preview.
 

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Offense

Head coach Ralph Friedgen is handing over play calling duties to new offensive coordinator James Franklin in hopes that the Terps 92nd ranked total offense can be more lively in '08. Franklin knows the program having been a wide receiver coach at Maryland and has since gained experience with the Green Bay Packers and as an offensive coordinator with K-State. He has installed a West Coast style offense which will put pressure on the QB's to perform. The offense should resemble the attack of the Indianaolis Colts with lots of three-step drops and short passes to give players the opportunity to run after the catch. QB's Jordan Steffy and Chris Turner both saw significant action last season. Steffy began the year as starter before suffering a severe concussion. He has returned to health and seems to have grasped the offense during spring practice. Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore combined for 4,231 yards the past three season, but now the Terps must find replacements. Sophomore Da'Rel Scott is the best option remaining at tailback. Wide receiver Darrius Heyward is an All-American candidate. The junior has already caught 96 balls for nearly 1,500 yards in his career. The line should be a strength with four returning starters, led by a pair of big tackles with NFL potential.

Defense

Look for Maryland to adjust its defensive scheme to a 3-3-5 stack alignment to take advantage of its surplus of quality linebackers. This new setup will put former end Jeremy Navarre into the tackle position. Three-year starter, Trey Covington, at the end-linebacker hybrid spot, will not be in a three-point stands nearly as often with this look. The rushing defense was average last season and it is going to hurt that nose guard Dre Moore is not returning to clog up the middle. There is a lot of inexperience in the secondary as well. Cornerback Kevin Barnes had four picks in 2007 and has proven that he can play, but the starting unit could include a pair of converted receivers. I think Maryland's scheme could make up for a lack of personnel if the players can adjust.

Special Teams

Travis Baltz was a freshman All-American in 2007, averaging 40.9 yards per punt. Place kicker Obi Egekeze has a powerful leg and was 17 of 23 on field goal attempts and 36 of 36 on extra points.

Prediction – 4th ACC Atlantic

I hate to say it, but it looks like another mediocre year for the Terps. Schematic changes to the offense and defense will not be able to make up for a lack of talented personnel. A breezy non-conference slate and three divisional home games should have the Terps bowl eligible, but a league title is out of question.  They should finish ahead of Boston College and NC State, but will be behind Florida State, Wake Forest, and Clemson.

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July 7th, 2008