Maryland vs Virginia Tech

[McNulty]

My wife is a huge Noles fan and alumni. We have season tickets for the Noles (and have had them for a few years now), so I got to see VT in person this past weekend.

I'd seriously doubt Glennon will be making an appearance in this game. He was writhing in pain when he got injured. I thought for sure he blew out his knee because he was squirming so much. They had to pick him up and carry him off the field. Tyrod Taylor is a bit of a different story. He stayed on the sidelines the entire game after getting hurt on the first play with an icepack on his ankle....I saw him limping around a few times, which is more then I can say for Glennon. Even if Taylor is able to go, I'd imagine his running ability will be limited in some capacity.

Their third QB, however, was much better than you'd expect a converted WR to be. He's a tall drink of water, and threw a nice ball. He's relatively mobile too. I commented to people in my section that I thought he played better then Glennon did for the quarter he was in there, and everyone seemed to agree. He showed a lot of poise for someone who had only thrown 19 career passes.

Defensively, I'd wager to say that VT is a little down this year. I'd love to hear from some of the VT fans on the board about this. Macho Harris is going to be a tough matchup for Heyward-Bey. He was all over Greg Carr, who did make 3 great catches, but Macho had great coverage on Carr even during the big gainers.

VT very well could have (and maybe should have) won this game if they hadn't roughed the punter (which lead to a key TD drive) in the third quarter.

VT seems to love to use the tight end in the passing game. So we'll have to cover well with our linebackers. Their freshman running back (Evans) looks like a good one, and I'm sure with their QB injury situation the Terps will see a steady diet of him.

[Dr. FLK]

If we lose to VT with a WR playing QB, I'm going to be pretty disappointed. VT isn't the same caliber of team they have been in year's past. The Terps "good defense" needs to show up, and they need to continue to open up the offense. The more #8 gets the ball, the better. IMO, this is a game the Terps need to win.

[SteveA]

My wife is a huge Noles fan and alumni. We have season tickets for the Noles (and have had them for a few years now), so I got to see VT in person this past weekend.

I'd seriously doubt Glennon will be making an appearance in this game. He was writhing in pain when he got injured. I thought for sure he blew out his knee because he was squirming so much. They had to pick him up and carry him off the field. Tyrod Taylor is a bit of a different story. He stayed on the sidelines the entire game after getting hurt on the first play with an icepack on his ankle....I saw him limping around a few times, which is more then I can say for Glennon. Even if Taylor is able to go, I'd imagine his running ability will be limited in some capacity.

Their third QB, however, was much better than you'd expect a converted WR to be. He's a tall drink of water, and threw a nice ball. He's relatively mobile too. I commented to people in my section that I thought he played better then Glennon did for the quarter he was in there, and everyone seemed to agree. He showed a lot of poise for someone who had only thrown 19 career passes.

Defensively, I'd wager to say that VT is a little down this year. I'd love to hear from some of the VT fans on the board about this. Macho Harris is going to be a tough matchup for Heyward-Bey. He was all over Greg Carr, who did make 3 great catches, but Macho had great coverage on Carr even during the big gainers.

VT very well could have (and maybe should have) won this game if they hadn't roughed the punter (which lead to a key TD drive) in the third quarter.

VT seems to love to use the tight end in the passing game. So we'll have to cover well with our linebackers. Their freshman running back (Evans) looks like a good one, and I'm sure with their QB injury situation the Terps will see a steady diet of him.

I was there too. A few comments.

Cory Holt was a QB in high school. He's a cousin of NFL WR Torry. Anyway, he only became a WR after losing out in a multi-way QB competition to Glennon and Marcus Vick. So calling him a "converted WR" is shortchanging the fact that he has been a QB the majority of his life and just a WR the past couple years. I was very impressed with what I saw of him.

Even though Glennon was writhing in pain, the word in Blacksburg so far is that his injury is less severe and he at least has a possibility of playing vs Maryland. Tyrod Taylor is definitely out.

Your comment about how we like to throw to the TEs had me laughing....we hadn't thrown to the TEs all year and the fanbase was screaming for it, as we watched our extremely young WR corps drop pass after pass. Finally in the FSU game we did go to Boone quite a bit. Hopefully that will continue, but it certainly hasn't been a season long characteristic.

Yes, we are a bit down defensively mainly because we lost two great linebackers. Also, in past years we have been able to generate a really good pass rush with just a four man rush, but we don't have quite the talent up front to do that so Bud Foster has had to get a bit more creative and mix in a lot more blitzes. However, Jason Worilds has emerged the past few games as the next in a long line of stud VT DEs, and he's only a sophomore so he can only get better.

You're right, regardless of who is QB, our game plan will be to run the ball as much as possible.

[McNulty]

I was there too. A few comments.

Cory Holt was a QB in high school. He's a cousin of NFL WR Torry. Anyway, he only became a WR after losing out in a multi-way QB competition to Glennon and Marcus Vick. So calling him a "converted WR" is shortchanging the fact that he has been a QB the majority of his life and just a WR the past couple years. I was very impressed with what I saw of him.

Even though Glennon was writhing in pain, the word in Blacksburg so far is that his injury is less severe and he at least has a possibility of playing vs Maryland. Tyrod Taylor is definitely out.

Your comment about how we like to throw to the TEs had me laughing....we hadn't thrown to the TEs all year and the fanbase was screaming for it, as we watched our extremely young WR corps drop pass after pass. Finally in the FSU game we did go to Boone quite a bit. Hopefully that will continue, but it certainly hasn't been a season long characteristic.

Yes, we are a bit down defensively mainly because we lost two great linebackers. Also, in past years we have been able to generate a really good pass rush with just a four man rush, but we don't have quite the talent up front to do that so Bud Foster has had to get a bit more creative and mix in a lot more blitzes. However, Jason Worilds has emerged the past few games as the next in a long line of stud VT DEs, and he's only a sophomore so he can only get better.

You're right, regardless of who is QB, our game plan will be to run the ball as much as possible.

Interesting about the tight ends. I read yesterday on a Seminole beat writers page that "Someday FSU will remember that the TE is an eligible receiver and that he, you know, needs to be covered". So maybe that had something to do with it.

I'm shocked a bit about Glennon. Good news for him at least.

I'm really hoping you weren't wearing an Orange Vick jersey. If you were in section 13, that was me screaming at him all game.

[Todd-O]

Talk about a must win game.

The Terps must win this game -- otherwise they will lose the ability to ultimately control the outcome of their regular season.

Come on Terps!

I would love to see them reach 7-2... wouldn't that set the table for a sick game versus FSU???

[jrma0601]

Va tech is look really weak right now with the WR as the qb. I can see us winning the game something like 24-10

[Mackus]

In Blacksburg on a Thursday night, not the best of odds for the Terps. They've struggled on the road and VT should be fired up. I think this one will be tough to pull out, although they've certainly got a chance.

[glenn__davis]

Is this the first time we've played them away since the ACC expansion? I could've sworn we played there once before, but I can't find it.

Anyway, while I think MD has as good a shot as anyone to win the ACC title, I'm a little surprised at some of the optimism here. VT certainly isn't the VT we all know and love this year, but they're not bad. At their place on a Thursday night just doesn't seem like a good situation for the Terps.

[Mackus]

Is this the first time we've played them away since the ACC expansion? I could've sworn we played there once before, but I can't find it.

Anyway, while I think MD has as good a shot as anyone to win the ACC title, I'm a little surprised at some of the optimism here. VT certainly isn't the VT we all know and love this year, but they're not bad. At their place on a Thursday night just doesn't seem like a good situation for the Terps.Wasn't it at VT that Maryland was getting absolutely blown out in the 1st half (on a Thursday I believe) and Fridge deciding to try and ice their kicker by calling 2 timeouts before his kick right before half despite the team being down by about 35? Like 3 years ago or so. Or was that maybe against WVU?

[Baltimore Chop]

Is this the first time we've played them away since the ACC expansion? I could've sworn we played there once before, but I can't find it.

Anyway, while I think MD has as good a shot as anyone to win the ACC title, I'm a little surprised at some of the optimism here. VT certainly isn't the VT we all know and love this year, but they're not bad. At their place on a Thursday night just doesn't seem like a good situation for the Terps.

Maryland played there on November 18, 2004, which was after the expansion. Maryland All Time Football Results (http://www.jhowell.net/cf/scores/Maryland.htm)

The Terps lost a close one, 55-6. I left after the 3rd quarter was over.

This is the game where they went through three QBs as Joel Statham was pulled for ineffectiveness twice. After the first time, Jordan Steffy relieved him, played OK, but was KO'd by a pretty brutal hit on a ball that was picked off.

Statham came back, continued stinking up the joint, before he was relieved by Sam Hollenbach by the end of the 3rd quarter. You can relieve this horridly bad game (nationally televised game, too) here (http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2004-2005/vt-111804.html#GAME.PLY).

Edit to say: Mackus, I believe this is the game you are referencing. Look in the play by play section at the end of the 1st half -- Maryland calls two consecutive timeouts, despite being down 38-3 (good memory by stating it was a 35 point deficit).

[glenn__davis]

Thanks BC and Mackus. I looked through the results but must've just read over the game in Blacksburg. From what I can tell, the only other time we've played them recently was a 38-9 drubbing in CP. I realize we're talking about completely different teams with completely different personnel, but until we at least have a competitive game with them, I can't predict a victory in Blacksburg on a Thursday night.

[Baltimore Chop]

Thanks BC and Mackus. I looked through the results but must've just read over the game in Blacksburg. From what I can tell, the only other time we've played them recently was a 38-9 drubbing in CP. I realize we're talking about completely different teams with completely different personnel, but until we at least have a competitive game with them, I can't predict a victory in Blacksburg on a Thursday night.

Yeah, this is going to be a tough game, to say the least. Maryland hasn't exactly impressed on the road yet this year (save for one half at Clemson).

The big question is how well VT can exploit Maryland's sorry excuse for a defense that doesn't like to blitz, and allows entirely way too many yards via seam routes/dink and dunk plays.

No doubt in my mind that the offense shows up to play in that environment -- just a matter of how long it takes for them to get on track.

[DrungoHazewood]

Thanks BC and Mackus. I looked through the results but must've just read over the game in Blacksburg. From what I can tell, the only other time we've played them recently was a 38-9 drubbing in CP. I realize we're talking about completely different teams with completely different personnel, but until we at least have a competitive game with them, I can't predict a victory in Blacksburg on a Thursday night.

I was at both of those games, and was obviously quite pleased with the results. I wouldn't guarantee a similar outcome this time. As Steve has pretty much said, Tech is in kind of a rebuilding year with almost exclusively freshmen at wide receiver and running back. Holt (http://www.hokiesports.com/football/players/2008/holt.html) has been a QB at Tech, and was the backup in 2005 when they were preserving the redshirt on someone (Ike Whitaker, maybe?). He's 11-25, 141 with a couple TDs and a pick in his career.

Interesting side note, if Glennon can't go and something were to happen to Holt, they are apparently working out Greg Boone (http://www.hokiesports.com/football/players/2008/boone.html) at QB. Boone is the starting tight end, was recruited at QB, but eventually found himself at TE because where else are you going to put a 6'3", 280 skill player? If Boone is taking some snaps we can be sure something went horribly wrong, but it might be entertaining.

[OregonBird]

I think VaTech takes this one.

Terps don't seem to play well when the lights shine brightest on them (national TV). Instead they get exposed.

It will be a close one but I don't think the Terps will match the Hokies' intensity at home.

[markpolis]

I think VaTech takes this one.

Terps don't seem to play well when the lights shine brightest on them (national TV). Instead they get exposed.

It will be a close one but I don't think the Terps will match the Hokies' intensity at home.

Yeah, they really laid an egg in the Cal, Clemson and Wake games. :rolleyes:

This year has been just the opposite. The games they were supposed to win (Mid.Tenn.St. and Virginia) they have stumbled. This year they have shown up for the big games. Hopefully Thursday night won't be any different.

[OregonBird]

Yeah, they really laid an egg in the Cal, Clemson and Wake games. :rolleyes:

This year has been just the opposite. The games they were supposed to win (Mid.Tenn.St. and Virginia) they have stumbled. This year they have shown up for the big games. Hopefully Thursday night won't be any different.

Playing a Noon game on a Saturday isn't the same as a night game, during the week when a lot more people were watching. I'll give you that this year is a different year and they seem to be doing pretty well given the air time they've gotten.

What I do suggest is that in previous years, perhaps due to ill preparedness, not checking their egos at the door, lack of intensity, whatever, the team ends up playing soft/passive and disappoints us.

We shall see.....its on the road and Tommy Bowden isn't coaching them. I'd love to see the Terps come out with a win.

[DrungoHazewood]

Tech Sideline, kind of the Orioles Hangout of Virginia Tech sports, has their in-depth preview and prediction article up (http://www.techsideline.com/news_archive/showArticle-4065.php). They're usually fairly balanced, and just a couple weeks ago correctly predicted an FSU win over Tech (and this long before anyone knew Glennon and Taylor would be hurt). So I think their predictions of a 3-point Hokie victory are realistic and plausible.

My gut says this game could be anything from a 20-3 Maryland win to a 30-0 Tech victory. This is just a strange game in what's turned out to be a very strange ACC season.

[Burg]

Tech Sideline, kind of the Orioles Hangout of Virginia Tech sports, has their in-depth preview and prediction article up (http://www.techsideline.com/news_archive/showArticle-4065.php). They're usually fairly balanced, and just a couple weeks ago correctly predicted an FSU win over Tech (and this long before anyone knew Glennon and Taylor would be hurt). So I think their predictions of a 3-point Hokie victory are realistic and plausible.

My gut says this game could be anything from a 20-3 Maryland win to a 30-0 Tech victory. This is just a strange game in what's turned out to be a very strange ACC season.


Drungo,

Do you post on TSL?

I've been a member for a while now.

Just curious.

[DrungoHazewood]

Drungo,

Do you post on TSL?

I've been a member for a while now.

Just curious.

No, not regularly. I used to be a paying member, actually for many years, but found myself only on the site during football season. So I mainly just use it for the football game previews and roster cards.

It is a great site - hands down the best Tech fan site.

[Burg]

No, not regularly. I used to be a paying member, actually for many years, but found myself only on the site during football season. So I mainly just use it for the football game previews and roster cards.

It is a great site - hands down the best Tech fan site.

I agree. I only post on the Pay boards and IMO the pay content is well worth the $5 a month. Of course, as you say, the free content is very nice as well. The free football board on the other hand . . .

[BaltimoreFan]

Bad feeling. I guess it's to be expected for a Maryland team, on the road, on national TV.

[BaltBird 24]

Yep, we never seem able to put up anything in these national TV, prime-time games. Turner is looking great. The defense is looking so-so. Our running game, however, is looking horrible. Have to get Scott or Meggett going if we want a chance to win this one.

[DuffMan]

Offense looks good, they just need to finish off their drives. The Defense needs to step up.

[BaltBird 24]

This one is all but over. For whatever reason, Maryland can just not do anything against Virginia Tech.

[BaltimoreTerp]

This one is all but over. For whatever reason, Maryland can just not do anything against Virginia Tech.

If the defense keeps it up, it's over.

If they step up, we have a shot.

[BaltBird 24]

Down by two scores going into halftime. Offense has to finish off some of these drives if we want any chance at all. Also have to get a little pressure on Gleanon every now and then.

Overall, I'd say we got not chance in hell.

[DuffMan]

This one is all but over. For whatever reason, Maryland can just not do anything against Virginia Tech.

They do play two halves. Things aren't looking good now, but it's only 14 points. We get the ball to start the 2nd half, let's see what happens.

[BaltBird 24]

Horrible way to start the second half. Atleast we were able to hold them to a FG.

[DuffMan]

Horrible way to start the second half. Atleast we were able to hold them to a FG.

Yeah it really doesn't get much worse than that. This is not looking good at all.:(

[NewOwnerNeeded]

WOW! Heyward-Bey is so fast.

[BaltBird 24]

Terps have to find a way to get the ball into Heyward-Bey's hands more often..... that is one thing they haven't been able to take advantage of in his time at College Park.

Still a ball game, but will need another defensive stop and score to make it a real ball game.

[baltosravns2110]

I have been seeing that corner playing Heyward 15 yards off him. I have been telling everyone in my house they should run more WR screens to him. There you go! See I know what I am talking about every once in a while :)

Now that will force that corner to play him closer and open up the deep ball to him later on.

[baltosravns2110]

Terps have to find a way to get the ball into Heyward-Bey's hands more often..... that is one thing they haven't been able to take advantage of in his time at College Park.

Still a ball game, but will need another defensive stop and score to make it a real ball game.

Bingo! Take advantage of a 1st Round NFL Caliber player. We don't get that oppurtunity often.

[BaltBird 24]

How many times will we let VT convert on third down? What a soft defense.

[BaltBird 24]

Maryland Terrapins meet Darren Evans. Thank you Maryland defense for single handedly letting him carry VT to a victory tonight.

[Burg]

Maryland Terrapins meet Darren Evans. Thank you Maryland defense for single handedly letting him carry VT to a victory tonight.

Someone needs to remove Evans' helmet from the Maryland safety's chest.

Trucked.

[MurphDogg]

Mike Imoh's team rushing record is 243 yards in 2006. It could fall tonight...

[MurphDogg]

Mike Imoh's team rushing record is 243 yards in 2006. It could fall tonight...

And it just did, two carries later.

[NewOwnerNeeded]

Mike Imoh's team rushing record is 243 yards in 2006. It could fall tonight...

Bye bye record. Only the kneel down prevents him from going for 300. Just brutal run defense.

[Tony-OH]

Has Maryland won a game while ranked in the last five years? It's like an automatic loss once they are ranked. Unfortunately, it was a tough haul to go on the road and take on a talented VT team. Not a big surprise, but a little dissapointing none the less.

[DrungoHazewood]

Impressed by Tech being able to run the ball. Evans is really coming out, he's something else. Very impressed by Steinspring and Beamer and their willingness to play Boone at QB. Beamer has a well-deserved reputation for being ridiculously conservative, but sometimes when his back is against the wall he'll pull out some crazy stuff.

Maryland is a tough team, but they just couldn't establish much of a ground game, and they really need to get the ball to their one star offensive player (Heyward-Bay) more than a handful of times a game. Does he return kicks? He should.

[Mackus]

Getting held to a FG instead of a TD following the fumble on the punt is when the comeback was doomed to fail. They get 7 there, and with the way the defense was playing at that point, it could've been completely different. But Turner seemed to forget how to throw accurately after that, and the defense wasn't able to keep shutting VT down.

The defense played quite well in the 2nd half, but was too big of a first-half hole to climb out of.

Not a game I really expected to win, and it was good to see the comeback attempt. Disappointed in the loss, but if they take care of business the rest of the way they can still make some noise in the ACC.

[Mackus]

Maryland is a tough team, but they just couldn't establish much of a ground game, and they really need to get the ball to their one star offensive player (Heyward-Bay) more than a handful of times a game. Does he return kicks? He should.This is a big complaint of mine. Heyward-Bey is almost always the most talented player on the field every week, and he's used as much as a decoy as an actual target.

[Todd-O]

This is the story of Maryland Football: Some good players... one or two great players... meets a far more physically talented team.

THUD

[OregonBird]

This game went pretty much how I expected. The minute the team starts to get some respect (ranking), as soon as bowl reps and the national audience starts watching....they lay an egg. The offense did nothing really and the defense was below average.

Yet another game where the defense lets a guy have a career game against them.

Instead of coming out, being aggressive & creative, making a statement that they belong, they come out and show their true colors. The game you saw tonight was typical Terps football the last few years. It wasn't their best game (vs. Wake) and it wasn't their worst game (vs. VA), it was simply their typical average performance. It's fine versus an NC State but versus a physical, well coached team it doesn't get the job done.

[slowey404]

Did Turner even attempt a throw to the endzone, after VT muffed the punt.

[Dr. FLK]

That was the sorriest tackling team I've seen Maryland put on the field in a long time. They made a good RB look like a super star. They should be embarrassed.

[Tony-OH]

This game went pretty much how I expected. The minute the team starts to get some respect (ranking), as soon as bowl reps and the national audience starts watching....they lay an egg. The offense did nothing really and the defense was below average.

Yet another game where the defense lets a guy have a career game against them.

Instead of coming out, being aggressive & creative, making a statement that they belong, they come out and show their true colors. The game you saw tonight was typical Terps football the last few years. It wasn't their best game (vs. Wake) and it wasn't their worst game (vs. VA), it was simply their typical average performance. It's fine versus an NC State but versus a physical, well coached team it doesn't get the job done.

I tend to agree with this. The problem is that the Terps best player is a WR and their QB is a below average college QB. With Scott being banged up, they really couldn't get the running game going and VT was just way more physical and athletic.

Maryland just seems to always miss out on those big opportunities to show they belong in the top 25 but it's probably because they don't. They are just way too inconsistent and I didn't think the offensive game plan was very creative either.

[clapdiddy]

I tend to agree with this. The problem is that the Terps best player is a WR and their QB is a below average college QB. With Scott being banged up, they really couldn't get the running game going and VT was just way more physical and athletic.

Maryland just seems to always miss out on those big opportunities to show they belong in the top 25 but it's probably because they don't. They are just way too inconsistent and I didn't think the offensive game plan was very creative either.
Hammer, meet nail.

The Terps are a middling college football team...nothing more, nothing less.

I thought after Freidgen took over (especially after their first season under him), they'd be a consistent top 25 team. I thought with his mind for offense and the decent amount of recruits in this area, they'd be in the ACC title hunt year in and year out.

He just doesn't get it done. They don't have enough size or athleticism to compete year in and out. I think the problem is that they are getting a lot of "sloppy seconds" in recruiting. They never get the top echelon players, and chance are that they never will, unless Maryland takes a bold step and hires a "name" coach.

[Dracula]

Agree with the sentiment here, who didn't see this coming?


How does Heyward-Bey only have 30 receptions on the year? That is a crime. He may be the best WR in the nation...1st round talent at least. He has 2 games with ZERO catches. He is on pace for the lowest amount of catches and receiving yards in his career...how does that make any sense.

Freshman: 45 for 694 yds
Sophomore: 51 for 786 yds
Junior: 40 for 661 (projected totals)

Force feed this kid the ball...he averages 16.5 yds per catch and 19.2 per rush this season. An amazing talent that is being wasted at MD. The best WR I've ever seen put on a MD uniform.

[DrungoHazewood]

He just doesn't get it done. They don't have enough size or athleticism to compete year in and out. I think the problem is that they are getting a lot of "sloppy seconds" in recruiting. They never get the top echelon players, and chance are that they never will, unless Maryland takes a bold step and hires a "name" coach.

I think you can win with those recruits. You just can't win in a conventional way. In 1999 Tech was still not getting top-shelf recruits, and regularly was graded out as a 30th, 40th, 50th recruiting class by Rivals and other publications.

But they won, and went to the BCS Championship game, at least in part, by doing weird stuff. They made Corey Moore a 215 lb defensive rush end, and he won national awards. He never made it in the NFL because he was too small to be a linebacker, much less a DE.

Beamer has this reputation for special teams because Tech really does use most of their best players on special teams and they really do block an ungodly number of kicks. When he started doing this 20 years ago it was really innovative.

Bud Foster used all kinds of crazy blitzing defenses. They ran the wide-tackle six defense 30 or 40 years after everyone else had abandoned it. They had straight-on placekickers 20 years after everyone else switched to soccer-style, maybe because it was a market inefficiency; no one else wanted them.

The service adacamies win with lesser recruits by being different. Georgia Tech has been fairly successful this year with recruits that probably aren't much better than MD's, and they're running the wishbone.

Anyway, my point is Maryland probably could win with lesser recruits. But they need to be creative with it. Run the wishbone, or the spread, or the 46 defense or something. But just lining up in the pro-set and hoping to outplay everyone else at their game probably won't work.

[DrungoHazewood]

Agree with the sentiment here, who didn't see this coming?


How does Heyward-Bey only have 30 receptions on the year? That is a crime. He may be the best WR in the nation...1st round talent at least. He has 2 games with ZERO catches. He is on pace for the lowest amount of catches and receiving yards in his career...how does that make any sense.

I think he has 0th round talent. ;)


Freshman: 45 for 694 yds
Sophomore: 51 for 786 yds
Junior: 40 for 661 (projected totals)

Force feed this kid the ball...he averages 16.5 yds per catch and 19.2 per rush this season. An amazing talent that is being wasted at MD. The best WR I've ever seen put on a MD uniform.

Some of it may be playcalling, but a lot of it is probably that the other team sees him as their only real weapon and they do whatever they can to shut him down. Last night Macho Harris was marked on him a lot, and Macho is at least a first round talent, too.

[OregonBird]

Hammer, meet nail.

The Terps are a middling college football team...nothing more, nothing less.

I thought after Freidgen took over (especially after their first season under him), they'd be a consistent top 25 team. I thought with his mind for offense and the decent amount of recruits in this area, they'd be in the ACC title hunt year in and year out.

He just doesn't get it done. They don't have enough size or athleticism to compete year in and out. I think the problem is that they are getting a lot of "sloppy seconds" in recruiting. They never get the top echelon players, and chance are that they never will, unless Maryland takes a bold step and hires a "name" coach.

Dead on....

I think most people will now admit that Fridge won with Vandy's recruits. I miss some of those guys. They didn't necessarily have the measurables that Fridge is so enamored with but they were blue collar football players. A lot of those guys weren't highly recruited but they played with chips on their shoulders. Those are the guys that manhandled Tennessee in the Peach Bowl.

Nowadays we've got all this supposed talent with 3-4-5 star guys etc, but I'm wondering where the mental/physical toughness are as well as the football IQ. I'm not convinced there is that much talent either. Heck, one of the guys w/the most talent is at QB (Portis), mired to the bench, because he can't comprehend the playbook or make reads. Please bring in some guys lunch pail guys who will play "pissed off" on Saturdays!

Last point. We do need a real QB. I like Turner, he's a servicable QB, kind of like a decent 4 or 5 starter on a solid pitching staff. :D If I look across the Top 25 there isn't one team he'd be the starter on. Heck, there are plenty of teams he wouldn't even be the backup on. There are so many QBs that I see on Saturdays that where I say to myself.."See, why can't we take a chance on a hard nosed kid like this?". Granted the kid is only 6'1 but he's heady, can make the throws, and will run.

[clapdiddy]

I think you can win with those recruits. You just can't win in a conventional way. In 1999 Tech was still not getting top-shelf recruits, and regularly was graded out as a 30th, 40th, 50th recruiting class by Rivals and other publications.

But they won, and went to the BCS Championship game, at least in part, by doing weird stuff. They made Corey Moore a 215 lb defensive rush end, and he won national awards. He never made it in the NFL because he was too small to be a linebacker, much less a DE.

Beamer has this reputation for special teams because Tech really does use most of their best players on special teams and they really do block an ungodly number of kicks. When he started doing this 20 years ago it was really innovative.

Bud Foster used all kinds of crazy blitzing defenses. They ran the wide-tackle six defense 30 or 40 years after everyone else had abandoned it. They had straight-on placekickers 20 years after everyone else switched to soccer-style, maybe because it was a market inefficiency; no one else wanted them.

The service adacamies win with lesser recruits by being different. Georgia Tech has been fairly successful this year with recruits that probably aren't much better than MD's, and they're running the wishbone.

Anyway, my point is Maryland probably could win with lesser recruits. But they need to be creative with it. Run the wishbone, or the spread, or the 46 defense or something. But just lining up in the pro-set and hoping to outplay everyone else at their game probably won't work.

Excellent points, here.

As a comparison, you could look at the MD basketball championship team. The players were not top recruits, but fit Gary's style. Friedgen's pro-style offense is fine, if you've got a top-notch college QB. The Terps don't have that QB.

I like your idea about running a different offense.