2008 Maryland Terrapins Football Preview

2008 Maryland Terrapins season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Maryland Terrapins football preview as well as the 2008 Maryland Terrapins Football Schedule. When betting on college football against the bookmakers odds dont dismiss our NCAA football picks to help build your bankroll this year.

Coach: Ralph Friedgen (8th year at Maryland)
Team Name: Terrapins
2007 Overall Record: 6-7
Returning Starters: 13

The Maryland Terrapins (6-5 overall, 3-5 ACC) finished fifth in the Atlantic division of the ACC. Wins against Boston College and Rutgers helped them get a 2007 post-season invitation. The Terrapins went to the Emerald Bowl where Oregon State beat them 14-21.

Maryland found their point production hindered last season when numerous injuries struck the team. This season, the Terrapins look to excel in this area. The team is deep at quarterback. Junior Chris Turner (241 ATT, 153 COMP, 1,958 YDS, 7 TDs, 7 INT) looks to start but senior Jordan Steffy is also ready to play. The receiving corps is also deep. It includes junior Darrius Heyward-Bey (51 REC, 786 YDS, 3 TDs)—an explosive playmaker. The running backs include two talented gamers—sophomores Da’Rel Scott and Morgan Green. Four starters return to the frontline. This unit is sound.

On defense, the line is worrisome—untested and inexperienced. However, one vet, Jeremy Navarre, could be the anchor. Navarre has started 35 games at Maryland. Last season he notched 5.5 sacks. The linebacking squad is without All-American Erin Henderson, while the secondary lost three stellar starters. Senior CB Kevin Barnes (4 INT) returns. He’s got good speed and sound skills. At LB, Dave Philistin (124 tackles, 54 solo), who was the ACC’s fourth leading tackler, will help stabilize the middle.

The Terrapins will be hard-pressed to beat Clemson or Virginia Tech. Swing games include their final three versus North Carolina (November 15), Florida State (November 22) and Boston College (November 29). Two earlier tossups will be played when California visits (September 13) and when Wake Forest arrives (October 18).

Maryland fields an improved team. The offense is on the rise, while the defense will need to make up for some major loses. It’s essential that the Terrapins find a starting quarterback who can deliver consistently. If they do, they’ll certainly average more than last season’s 24.1 PPG. Defensive coordinator Chris Cosh needs to plug some big holes, while head coach Ralph Friedgen, who is 56-31 in seven years with the Terrapins, must become a better motivator. In three of the past four seasons, the team has basically been a .500 club. They can do better than that.

Maryland Terrapins Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Away
Aug 30	Delaware	Home
Sep 6	Middle Tennessee	Away
Sep 13	California	Home
Sep 20	Eastern Michigan	Home
Sep 27	Clemson	Away
Oct 4	Virginia	Away
Oct 18	Wake Forest	Home
Oct 25	NC State	Home
Nov 6	Virginia Tech	Away
Nov 15	North Carolina	Home
Nov 22	Florida St	Home
Nov 29	Boston College	Away

 

For more info on the 2008 Maryland Terrapins football program, view the Terrapins sports website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the ACC foes.