2010 Rivals ACC Preview – #92 Maryland

From RIVALS.

COACH: Ralph Friedgen (66-46, 10th season)

LAST SEASON: 2-10, 1-7 (6th in ACC Atlantic)

FINAL 2009 RIVALS.COM RANKING: 101st

KEEP AN EYE ON: Jamarr Robinson enters his first full season as the Terrapins’ starting quarterback after replacing an injured Chris Turner in the final four games of the 2009 season. Robinson went 46-of-85 for 459 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions last season, and he also rushed for 129 yards against Virginia Tech. His mobility makes him more versatile than most recent Maryland quarterbacks.

STRENGTHS: Maryland is loaded at linebacker. Alex Wujciak, who has made more than 130 tackles in each of the past two seasons, headlines a linebacker corps that also returns Adrian Moten and Demetrius Hartsfield. The Terps also have a couple of quality running backs in Da’Rel Scott and Davin Meggett. Scott rushed for 1,133 yards and earned first-team All-ACC honors two years ago before injuries limited him to 425 yards on 88 carries last season. WR Torrey Smith is an exceptional kick returner. K Nick Ferrara returns after going 18-of-25 on field-goal attempts, with a long of 50, and P Travis Baltz is solid.

WEAKNESSES: The Terps must upgrade their offense after ranking 11th in the ACC in scoring last season. The offensive line showed signs of progress during spring practice, but a unit that could feature three sophomore starters remains a major concern. The Terps need a breakthrough season from T R.J. Dill and a successful transition to center by former G/T Paul Pinegar. Maryland has only one returning starter (NT A.J. Francis) on the defensive line and only one returning starter (CB Cameron Chism) in the secondary. The punt coverage was horrible last season.

BUZZ: After winning just one game against an FBS opponent last season, Maryland has nowhere to go but up. But the Terps still might not rise out of the ACC Atlantic Division cellar. The Terps have enough quality skill-position players on offense to produce a few more points per game, so maybe a few of their close losses from last season become wins this season. But it’s tough to imagine this team winning more than four or five games.

– STEVE MEGARGEE