2009 Maryland Terrapins Football Preview
2009 Maryland Terrapins season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Maryland Terrapins football preview as well as the 2009 Maryland Terrapins Football Schedule. When betting on college football against the bookmakers odds dont dismiss our NCAA football picks to help build your bankroll this year.
Coach: Ralph Friedgen (9th year at Maryland)
Team Name: Terrapins
2008 Overall Record: 8-5
Returning Starters: 9
Last year, the Maryland Terrapins (8- 5 overall, 4- 4 ACC Atlantic) ended the regular season tied for third in the ACC Atlantic. The Terrapins earned their third straight bowl invite, beating Nevada 42- 35 in the Humanitarian Bowl.
Perhaps the biggest problem for Maryland last season was in the area of point generation as the Terrapins managed just 21.8 PPG (99th nationally). This season, the major challenge for the offense will be keeping defenders out of the backfield. The O-line lost five from last season, including three starters. Quarterback Chris Turner (374 ATT, 214 COMP, 2,516 YDs, 11 INTs, 14 TDs) can make big plays but he also manages to throw too many picks. Turner has mobility problems too. He has to make better decisions for the club to stay in the hunt for the division crown. Turner has some solid pass catchers to go to, including the dynamic Torrey Smith (24 REC, 336 YDs, 2 TDs). Smith made major strides near the end of the season, making 16 of his 24 receptions in the last five contests. The running game includes two top players—running backs Da’Rel Scott (209 CAR, 1,133 YDs, 8 TDs) and Davin Meggett (89 CAR, 457 YDs, 4 TDs). This is a solid unit that is capable of putting points on the board.
The Maryland defense was also a problem last season. The “D” earned a 10th place ranking in the ACC. New defensive coordinator Don Brown, the former head coach of UMass, should make a difference, instituting a high-pressure blitz. As a sophomore, MLB Alex Wujciak led the team in tackles last season with 133, 56 solo. He’ll be the foundation on the linebacking unit, which is relatively inexperienced. Strong safety Jamari McCollough was tops in interceptions, garnering four. There’s depth in this unit. In front, there is uncertainty. Senior nose tackle Travis Ivey, who was injured last season, will be an important cog on the line.
On special teams, the Terrapins field one of the best kick return guys around in Torrey Smith. Smith set the ACC season mark for most kickoff return yards last season with 1,089, averaging 25.9 YPR. Travis Baltz, the All-ACC punter, is back, but the placekicking duties are up for grabs. Anyone of three contenders could win the job.
Head coach Ralph Friedgen (64- 36 in eight years at Maryland), who has found a good fit at Maryland, saw his club play uneven ball last season. The team opens against the California Golden Bears on September 5. They upset the Bears last season 35-27 and two weeks later surprised Clemson 20- 17. Can they do the same against both clubs this season? Road trips to Wake Forest, NC State and FSU will prove to be taxing. Their September 26 meeting versus Rutgers could go either way. Maryland should put up a winning record, while finishing near the bottom of the ACC Atlantic and attending a lower tier bowl game.
Maryland Terrapins Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | Maryland | California | away | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | Maryland | James Madison | home | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Maryland | Middle Tenn. St. | home | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Maryland | Rutgers | home | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Maryland | Clemson | home | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Maryland | Wake Forest | away | ||||
| 10/17/2009 | Maryland | Virginia | home | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Maryland | Duke | away | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Maryland | N.C. State | away | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Maryland | Virginia Tech | home | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Maryland | Florida St. | away | ||||
| 11/28/2009 | Maryland | Boston Coll. | home |
For more info on the 2009 Maryland Terrapins football program, view the Terrapins sports website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the ACC foes.
