Emerald Bowl Prediction Thread: Terps vs. Oregon State

[OregonBird]

Oregon State's defense can really get after it but their offense is struggling a bit. Their backup QB Lyle Moevao has trouble hitting their receivers in stride and their stud RB Yvenson Bernard is banged up so its uncertain whether he plays.

Maryland has had a bit of a resurgence w/the pounding of NC State and the time off should help guys get healthy. If RF doesn't crawl into a shell and actually calls a varied attack, providing this team executes, it will be fun to watch. OSU's defense isn't that fast but they are stout. On the defensive side of the ball, w/Moevao at QB, I'm expecting more run then pass.

If MD is clicking, this will be a fairly even match up. However, OSU has played some tougher opponents this year in a tough Pac 10 conference. I give them the edge.

OSU 24

MD 20

[BaltimoreTerp]

Maryland 27, Oregon State 13.

[clapdiddy]

I think the Terps will go down...and go down hard.

I predict a 20 point loss.

[OregonBird]

I think the Terps will go down...and go down hard.

I predict a 20 point loss.

Yeah, I can see this happening. I can see all of us in some game thread asking ourselves "how the heck could Fridge be calling this kind of vanilla game w/over a month to plan?" Then, in the same thread, saying "thank god they hired Franklin to come back."

I've seen OSU play just about every week and simply running the ball off tackle with Ball and Lattimore isn't going to work. Fridge is really going to have to mix it up between pass/run, some option, some misdirection.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Yeah, I can see this happening. I can see all of us in some game thread asking ourselves "how the heck could Fridge be calling this kind of vanilla game w/over a month to plan?" Then, in the same thread, saying "thank god they hired Franklin to come back."

I've seen OSU play just about every week and simply running the ball off tackle with Ball and Lattimore isn't going to work. Fridge is really going to have to mix it up between pass/run, some option, some misdirection.

You're just going with OSU because you live in that state in "Beaver"ton

This team has been crazy this year. Big second-half letdown at Wake, going into a top-ten team in Rutgars with little chance and winning by double-digits. Three straight losses going into BC, whom many thought would blow us out, and winning a shootout against possibly the best QB in the country.

The offense has looked poor, with bad schemes, and has looked like it could compete (and has done so) against the very best. Same with the defense.

We could lose by 20, or just as easily win by 20.

Should we start calling James Franklin "Coach Prozac"?

[OregonBird]

You're just going with OSU because you live in that state in "Beaver"ton

This team has been crazy this year. Big second-half letdown at Wake, going into a top-ten team in Rutgars with little chance and winning by double-digits. Three straight losses going into BC, whom many thought would blow us out, and winning a shootout against possibly the best QB in the country.

The offense has looked poor, with bad schemes, and has looked like it could compete (and has done so) against the very best. Same with the defense.

We could lose by 20, or just as easily win by 20.

Should we start calling James Franklin "Coach Prozac"?

Ha ha, I like "Beaver" what can I say.

You're right though in that this team is bipolar. They could look like the Orange Bowl team in 2002 or they could look like the crap-tacular team that lost to Virginia this year. We'll we see the offense that mixed it up versus NC State or the one versus UVA? I think we saw more UVA-like performances this year than we did NC State-like performances and that is why I have the Beavs winning.

To me this game rests on what Fridge does on offense. I have little faith in Chris Cosh's defensive scheming and ability to make adjustments. How that guy still has a job after where his defense has been ranked the past two years is beyond me. To think we could have fired him and hired the available John Tenuta (Ga Tech).

[OregonBird]

Thanks for posting crstoner97.....

I think that most of us don't know what to expect from this team. I could see the RF of old or I could see the offense get completely overpowered by a physical, blue collar defense. It could go either way IMO.

Like I said earlier, I don't see Chris Cosh and his defense winning the game for us. It's all on the offense.

[Birds of B'more]

I'll be leaving in a few hours to head down to SF for the game tomorrow night. Can't wait!

Looking at the regular season, Oregon St should win this one. But you never know what could happen in a bowl game. The month layoff and return of formerly injured players sometimes makes for a surprise result. But conventional wisdom says the Terps will struggle offensively. OSU is #1 in the country in yards-per-rush, so the onus on moving the ball will probably be on Turner. OSU is also among the nation's leaders in sacks, so protecting Turner and giving him enough time will be vital. The good news is that Oregon State's offense is really no better than ours. Their best offensive player, RB Yvenson Bernard, will play but is only about a month removed from arthroscopic knee surgery. Their O-line is good but their QB play has been shaky all season and their receivers are mediocre. The Terps best shot is to force some tunrovers (OSU is among the leaders in giveaways) and let the offense work on some short fields.

In the end, I see this game coming down to special teams. It could be a game of field goals and whoever wins the battle of field position most often should end up on top.

Oregon St 23

Maryland 16

[OregonBird]

Damn, wish I could have gone to this game. After spending a bunch of money during Xmas I had to reconsider.

[Birds of B'more]

I got lucky and scored a free round-trip voucher from United when I gave up my seat to a stand-by when I was traveling over Thanksgiving. Then someone I know offered me free game tickets. So given that, I figured as long as I could find a decent rate on a hotel then there's no reason not to go. I'm even staying through the weekend since I haven't been to SF in 10 years.

[4thebirds]

I also feel the Fridge has been awfully conservative with his play calling this year, but I just have a hunch that he has a few tricks up his sleeve in this one. Maryland 23 Oregon St. 21.

[OregonBird]

I think he was conservative when health of the roster dictated it.

Well, now that the Roster has had time to heal, we should see Ralph's true offensive genius, right?

Looks like Cosh will have his hands full, Yvenson Bernard has been cleared to play.

[AgentOrange]

That TD pass was dirty.

[EddieO's21]

great td there...14-7 terps

[BaltimoreTerp]

We might have a shot if Turner stopped with the picks...