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Three keys for Maryland in 2015
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Maryland might’ve surprised a few Big Ten teams by finishing its inaugural season in the conference with a .500 record. In its second year in the conference, Randy Edsall’s group has a new scheme and some new holes to fill. Here’s what Maryland has to do to make strides in 2015.
Answer questions at receiver
Stefon Diggs and Deon Long are gone to the NFL while Marcus Leak, Jacquille Veii and Juwann Winfree left the program. That’s a lot of talent to replace. Maryland, however, could have some suitable replacements. Levern Jacobs will return from suspension while brother, Tavion, will get his first collegiate action after missing his freshman season with an ACL tear. The 6-1, 204-pound Amba Etta-Tawo has 41 career receptions entering his third year, and will look to provide a presence for whoever starts at quarterback.
Adjust quickly to new 4-3 defense
Edsall is hoping a switch to a 4-3 defensive scheme will yield better results for the country’s 89th ranked scoring defense. He also wouldn’t mind improving the Terps’ 117th ranking in time of possession. Former inside linebackers coach Keith Dudzinski will take over defensive coordinator duties. It wasn’t long ago that Brian Stewart led the 22nd ranked unit in the country. But a new look all around could be what the Terps need to weather the storm in the Big Ten East.
Clean up non-conference slate
Have you seen what Maryland has to start the Big Ten? Michigan and Michigan State will visit College Park and the Terps will travel to Ohio State and Iowa, in addition to a neutral site game against Penn State. That doesn’t even include a non-conference road trip to Morgantown to take on West Virginia. If Maryland trips up in any of its first three non-conference games, it’s going to be awfully difficult to get four conference wins with that schedule.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.