College Football
Previews - NCAA Football Handicapping - Preview 2006 Betting
Maryland Terrapins
2006 Preview
Online
Predictions By:
Matt Fargo Maryland Terrapins Football
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Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be
here before you know it so that means getting
an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season.
Knowing the teams now will save you time in August
and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp
of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from
worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.
Fargo’s Take
- Maryland put up double-digit win totals
every year from 2001-2003 but the last two years
have seen just 10 wins combined. The Ralph Friedgen
lovers have suddenly turned into haters so he
needs to get this team turned in the right direction.
The offense was a potent machine in his first
three seasons but the last two years it has not
been nearly as good although last season did show
some improvement from 2004. Everything boils down
to the efficiency of the quarterback and that
will be the case again this season. Numerous mistakes
have cost the Terps the last couple seasons with
two heartbreaking losses to Florida St. and NC
State last year keeping them out of a bowl game.
In order to get back to a bowl, Maryland must
pull off some upsets along the way and regain
control of its once strong home field edge.
Returning Starters
on Offense – 7 Senior quarterback
Sam Hollenbach is the likely starter this season
but he will be pushed by sophomore Jordan Steffy
who missed all of last season with an arm injury.
Whoever does take control will have to improve
upon taking care of the ball and avoid costly
miscues at the wrong time. The running game will
be the strength of the offense after two straight
disappointing seasons. The return of tailback
Josh Allen is the main reason for optimism as
he was sidelined all of last season with a knee
injury. He along with leading returning rusher
Lance Ball should provide a superior 1-2 punch
in the backfield. The offensive line is strong
with four returning starters leading the way.
The line is huge and should pave the way for the
offense to become more balanced like it was in
2003.
Returning Starters
on Defense – 7 Maryland allowed 25
ppg last season which was the most in the Friedgen
era and the most since 2000. In order for the
defense to improve, it must start stuffing the
run as it finished 78th in the country, allowing
165.7 ypg. The good news is that everyone is back
along the defensive line and with another year
of starting experience, things likely will get
better. The linebackers will have to make due
without D’Qwell Jackson in the middle but
the unit should be extremely strong nonetheless.
The passing defense was the strength as the Terps
finished 19th in the country in passing defense
last season, the third straight season it has
allowed fewer than 200 ypg through the air. Two
starters need to be replaced but cornerback Josh
Wilson and free safety Christian Varner are both
potential all conference performers.
Schedule
- For the fifth straight season, Maryland has
a very manageable non-conference schedule so getting
off to a quick start should not be a problem.
Three home games against William & Mary, Middle
Tennessee and Florida International are all sure
wins while the fourth game is at West Virginia,
a likely loss. Going into ACC action at 3-1 is
just what the Terps need to gain some momentum
because the conference slate is a challenge. Back-to-back
road games at Georgia Tech and Virginia start
things off followed by back-to-back home games
against NC State and Florida St. There is no break
after the Seminoles as Maryland travels to Clemson
before returning home to host Miami and then heading
out again to Boston College. The easiest game
comes in the finale at home against Wake Forest.
Virginia Tech is not on the schedule but neither
is Duke.
You can bet on…
This is an important year for Maryland
and even more so for Friedgen. A third straight
losing season could mean some whispers about job
security will be heard. It’s unfortunate
because he has put together something good in
College Park and it has just been a rebuilding
time. After Maryland went 14-2 ATS as a home favorite
in Friedgen’s first three years, it has
gone just 1-6 ATS since. The Terps will be favored
at home in their first two lined games and likely
by a lot of points so beware of laying too much.
If a quarterback is established early on, Maryland
can win those games handily but it is a big question
mark and one that likely won’t be answered
until later in the year.
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