ACC Blogger Football Preview Countdown – Atlantic #4: Maryland
Posted by Brandon Rink on July 6, 2010 under ACC Football | 
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Can Friedgen lead a young Terps squad to a bowl this season – that’s the question in a solid ACC this season…
Maryland's Wujciak leads a defense that needs big improvements in '10.
Projected Record: 5-7 (3-5 ACC)
Returning Starters: 14 (7 on offense and 5 on defense; 2 on special teams)
Schedule Difficulty in ACC: 10th.
Offense Rides On… Playmaking ability of QB Jamarr Robinson. Robinson provided a shot in the arm for the Terps late last season, and he will have to make the Terps offense go.
Defensive Deficiency: Secondary. Terps were last in the league and 97th in the country in pass defense – for better or worse, Maryland is replacing a few starters as well.
Keyword: Progress – Maryland isn’t going to win the ACC, but more complete games and development en route to a bowl would be a promising sign for Friedgen’s squad..
Position by Position Grades
QB: B-
MVP: Jamarr Robinson (482 passing yards, 229 rushing, 2 passing TDs)
Gotta Step-Up: Jamarr Robinson
RB: B
MVP: Da’Rel Scott (425 yards and 4 TDs)
Gotta Step-Up: Davin Meggett (338 yards and 6 TDs)
WR/TE: B
MVP: Torrey Smith (827 receiving yards and 5 TDs)
Gotta Step-Up: Adrian Cannon (468 rec. yards and 4 TDs)
OL: C
MVP: C Paul Pinegar
Gotta Step-Up: LT Justin Gilbert
DL: C-
MVP: NT A.J. Francis (31 tackles and 1 sack)
Gotta Step-Up: DE Derek Drummond (16 tackles and 1 for loss)
LB: B
MVP: Alex Wujciak (131 tackles and 5 tackles for loss)
Gotta Step-Up: Adrian Moten (68 tackles and 6 for loss)
Sec: D+
MVP: CB Cameron Chism (4 INTs and 66 tackles)
Gotta Step-Up: SS Antwine Perez (45 tackles and 1 for loss)
K/P: B
MVP: K Nick Ferrara (18/25 on FGs, 14/20 from 30+)
Gotta Step-Up: P Travis Baltz (40.7 average per punt, long of 51)
Schedule Analysis + W/Ls
| DATE | OPPONENT | W/L |
| 9/06 | vs. Navy | L 24-17 |
| 9/11 | Morgan State | W 35-14 |
| 9/18 | @ West Virginia | L 27-20 |
| 9/25 | FIU | W 34-17 |
| 10/02 | Duke | W 27-17 |
| 10/16 | @ Clemson | L 35-17 |
| 10/23 | @ Boston College | L 28-14 |
| 10/30 | Wake Forest | W 24-20 |
| 11/06 | @ Miami (FL) | L 42-24 |
| 11/13 | @ Virginia | W 13-10 |
| 11/20 | Florida State | L 31-17 |
| 11/27 | North Carolina State | L 20-17 |
Bye Week: Before going to Clemson, October 16.
Toughest Game: at Miami, November 6.
Key Conference Game: at Clemson, October 16.
Season Hinges on… NC State, November 27.
The Why…
Why Fourth?: Terps have a long ways to go before contending in the ACC with weaknesses still all over defense and unproven players across the O. The schedule is just tough enough to keep Maryland from bowling.
Could be higher if… The defense makes marked improvement while Robinson develops into a big-time dual threat to carry the offense.
Could be lower if… Robinson is a complete dud, running game has trouble getting going, and the defense isn’t better than last season.
How far will the Terps go this season? Winning the Atlantic? Six-to-eight win season? Or is it another bowl-less season for Maryland?
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Coastal #3: Miami
Atlantic #3: Clemson
Coastal #4: UNC
