Ready for The Comeback

Freshmen football players reported for the first time last night to University of Maryland to prepare for the upcoming season. Fall camp opens tomorrow for the Terps, the last team in the ACC to begin practice.

Maryland is coming off of a putrid 2-10 season; a season where everything that could go wrong seemed to. A combination of youth and injuries lead to a long season. A season of awful losses, terrible excuses and even worse execution on the field.

While there isn't much to look back on last season to build off of, one of Maryland's two wins came against Clemson, the ACC's Atlantic Division Champions. An offense that answered when Clemson scored, an explosive special teams performance and a defense that showed up when it mattered most all lead to the third upset of Clemson in four seasons. In a bad year, beating a team of that caliber gives a reason for hope.

Coach Friedgen has had no qualms in his belief that this season will be one of his better teams during his tenure at Maryland. While admitting the team is still young, Fridge says they are an experienced youth. This is a good statement and a reason this team will be dangerous for the next two seasons. This Terps team features many young players who were forced to step in and play in 2009 and will be much better for it on the field this fall.

With Jamarr Robinson stepping in full time at quarterback after an invaluable learning experience last season, the quarterback position may be one of the most dangerous spots on the field. Robinson cannot only throw the ball down field but can also tuck and run and provides a legitimate threat in the option attack. Torrey Smith and a slew of speedy receivers return and will change games in league play. The Terps have a stable of running backs and an offensive line that, while still youthful, won't be surprised by anyone this year.

Alex Wuijack will lead a strong team of linebackers on a defense that promises to wreak havoc on offenses around the ACC. While the defensive backs don't have as much experience as is usual for a Terps squad, Cameron Chism, Antwine Perez and Kenny Tate should lead the way.

The Terps have a September schedule that really favors them. After a match-up with Navy in Baltimore to kick off the season on Labor Day, the Terps will return home to take on Morgan State before traveling to West Virginia against a WVU squad that will not be nearly as good as they have been in the recent past. The Terps finish the non-conference slate at home against Florida International. There is a legitimate shot the Terps could turn some heads and exit September with a 3-1 record as they head in to league play.

After Maryland opens with Duke in ACC play, they head to Clemson where they have owned the Tigers the last two times they have met in Death Valley, and have controlled the series over the past four seasons. If the Terps get it done down south and start 2-0 in the ACC, the Atlantic Division title is not out of the question.

There's reason to be cautiously optimistic in College Park this season. One thing is certain: these Terps won't go down against any team this season without a fight.