Pregame: Maryland at Wake Forest

Maryland got a nice win last week, upsetting Clemson 24-21 and (somehow) sitting atop the Atlantic Division with a 1-0 conference record, but still has a long way to go for bowl contention at a 2-3 overall record. But, as Chris Turner said, win through the ACC and they can go to the Orange Bowl; at least they took the first step. But Maryland hits the road for the first time in a month as they head down to Winston-Salem to take on Wake Forest.

The Maryland Terrapins (2-3, 1-0 ACC) take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-2, 1-1 ACC) in a divisional matchup. This contest is also Wake Forest's homecoming game. In their two ACC contests, Wake fell to Boston College but defeated NC State. The highlight of their season came when defeating Stanford. Maryland leads the series 41-15-1, but even though the Terps won last year, the Deacs won the previous two meetings.

Scouting the Competition: Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Any talk about Wake Forest begins with their senior quarterback Riley Skinner (pictured), who is one of the most efficient in the conference. He has completed over 68% of his passes, but does have seven interceptions with his 11 touchdowns. This is a very pass-heavy offense, giving Skinner a number of targets. In just five games, four receivers have over 20 catches, lead by redshirt-junior Marshall Williams with over 400 yards and four scores. The Deacs have a very reliable offensive line; all five starters are redshirt-junior status or higher.

On the ground Wake has a pro-style; playing a few tailbacks and relying on a fullback in goal situations. Josh Adams, Brandon Pendergrass, and Kevin Harris all split carries, averaging less than 35 yards per carry. Redshirt-senior fullback Mike Rinfrette has three scores despite just 35 yards rushing.

The defense though average will probably start 11 players that have used a redshirt year. They can contain, but they likely will not win by forcing turnovers. Some of the key players of the 4-3 defense include redshirt sophomore end Tristan Dorty with four tackles for loss, and redshirt junior linebacker Hunter Haynes with 23 tackles. One problem for Wake is the secondary, as two members of the unit are one and two in tackles.

Things to look out for:
1. Will the Maryland rushing attack work?
Normally Maryland relies on the rushing attack, but two things will hinder its progress. First is Wake's decent rushing defense. But the more important reason is Da'Rel Scott's broken wrist. Maryland will employ a running back by committee with at least three players: Jeff Barker of the Baltimore Sun says Davin Meggett, Gary Douglas, freshmen D.J. Adams and Caleb Porzel could all see time on the ground. Morgan Green is not included, as the coaching staff has said he has not progressed well. I find it doubtful that the Terps would risk Porzel considering his injuries, but even with Scott out, none of the running backs have been good, so Maryland will need someone to step up and get some production. Maryland will have an added problem: Bruce Campbell is out of today's game.

2. Can Chris Turner lead Maryland to another win?
Wake's defensive weakness is in the secondary, and with a problematic running game, Turner will need to have a good day in the air for the Terps to win. He had a great game against Clemson and seemed to be leading the charge into conference play, and Maryland could get a huge morale boost with a win against Wake Forest. The air attack is key, and Chris Turner can make it happen.

3. Can the Maryland secondary handle Riley Skinner and the Wake passing game?
Last year Maryland shut down Skinner and Co., giving up no points all game. The secondary has changed much since then and has been hurt by injuries. Jamari McCollough returning has been helpful and Kenny Tate continues to improve, but the key may be on cornerback Cameron Chism, going into his third start, and Anthony Wiseman. They will deal with two of the key threats the Deacs have, and their success is key to stopping the Wake Forest offense.

Prediction-
Maryland certainly has the capability to win, but I feel they have too many problems that Wake can exploit. The secondary is hurt and is going against Riley Skinner, plus the running game is in dire straits. The Terps will keep it close, but will fall in Winston-Salem.

Wake Forest 24, Maryland 16

(Photo credit: Baltimore Sun (Maryland), Collegefootballnews.com (Skinner)

Free Kicks: First-of-the-season College Football Edition

Wow, Falco has been on one hell of a tear lately, posting Monday-Thursday and giving Windsor and I some huge relief. After all, this weekend is huge for Terps fans as the Maryland football team travels to #12 California in a game in which Cal will be far more focused than they were last season- not to mention a much improved team in general. Cal tends to be over-ranked at the beginning of the season over the past few years, but this team certainly has it in them to be a power in the PAC 10. In honor of the Terps’ uncertain kicking situation, let’s line up for the kick…

Is Boise State for real?
Their defense is, and that might be the most important thing. Oregon has one hell of an offensive scheme, and it didn’t look to miss a beat when Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly was promoted to Head Coach in the offseason. But last night Boise State held the vaunted Ducks attack without a single first down in the first half. Boise State is not normally known for its defense; with the entire WAC and Mountain West getting a reputation for AFL-style shootouts, but if the Broncos can maintain a defensive presence it will not only win games- their offense will do that- but it will gain the attention of voters who tend to respect a hard-nosed defense more than a high-flying spread offense. As for Oregon, their sluggish performance may be indicative of the inexperience and possible lack of direction from Chip Kelly (thought it is too early to say for sure), or maybe just first-game jitters and the distraction of the blue turf. Regardless, they will have to massively improve if they are going to be competitive in a very talented PAC 10.

Is South Carolina-NC State representative of the SEC-ACC?
It just might be. Remember, NC State and South Carolina, much to Steve Spurrier’s chagrin, are comparable programs right now in their respective conferences, and while NC State lost by a very narrow 7-3 margin, Falco may have seen something more. He wrote to me, saying:

“During the (horrible) South Carolina vs. NC State game, the announcers said the SC players, notably representing the SEC, looked a lot more like football players. But even with that, it was not the reason NC State lost, it was because the Wolfpack had very little focus and could not complete basic plays, highlighted by the missed catch by Jay Smith in the end zone. If the ACC ever wants to compete with the SEC in football, they can, but it is their focus that is lacking.”

This is also an NC State team that was expected to make a leap with their talented young quarterback Russell Wilson, who looked every bit young but lacked the other quality last night. However, I am not sure I subscribe to Falco’s argument. South Carolina has come out of the gate extremely hot the last 2 or 3 seasons only to take a nosedive at the end of the season. NC State is still one of the worst teams in the ACC, and one good or bad offensive showing isn’t going to change that much. The SEC is leaps ahead of the ACC in football, as only the Big East (in my opinion) has a less imposing lineup. I will give the ACC a tie with the Big Ten as while the ACC is better top to bottom, the Big Ten has two major contenders in Ohio State and Penn State whereas the ACC has at best a large collection of 8-4 squads.

Best game this weekend?
Oklahoma State vs. Georgia will be a great game, but with Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford gone you won’t really know how good Georgia is until the second half of the season. Nevada-Notre Dame will also be really interesting with the pistol offense going up against Tenuta’s revamped defense (though mostly because of the sick pleasure I would get seeing Nevada pull the upset). The same can be said of Navy taking on Ohio State in Columbus; I love seeing the triple option no matter who is running it. However, give me BYU-Oklahoma this weekend. If only because BYU could be the best non-BCS team in the country, and both of these teams will be gunning for a BCS berth regardless of the outcome of this game (though it gets much harder for BYU if they lose than it would for Oklahoma). With the Sooners down their best pass-catcher in tight end Jermaine Gresham due to injury, this game just got a lot more competitive. Who wins? Oklahoma, but my heart will be pulling for the mid-major as always.

MARYLAND IS IN

The University of Maryland has made it to the NCAA Tournament as an at-large bid, getting the 10-seed in the West region, giving the Terps their second NCAA Tournament bid in the last three years. They will head to Kansas City to take on 7-seed California, and the winner will take on the victor of the 2-seed Memphis vs. Cal-State Northridge game.

Maryland was the third final at-large team taken plus the last team from the ACC to earn a bid. It took a strong ACC Tournament showing with two wins, including a win over Wake Forest, to push them into the tournament. When the first region came out, a number of people, including Gary Williams, were worried when they saw Arizona grab a 12-seed, as they were a team fighting for a final at-large bid. But the Terps got their spot in the next region.

This season has been a real tribute to Gary Williams and the poise of this team. So many times this team was counted out by media and fans. At the start of the season when the undersized lineup was shown, after getting upset by Morgan State, after Duke destroyed them in Durham, Vasquez's issues with the fans, after all of the problems between Gary and the athletic department, some fans calling for Gary's head, and after the Maryland loss to Virginia. But through all of that, this team fought hard and earned their bid despite their problems.

Congratulations to Maryland to making it to the NCAA Tournament, and from us here at ATH, we say good luck. Also congrats to Morgan State for their accomplishment in making the tournament as well.

Terps ACC Run Ends: Duke Defeats Maryland

Maryland's run in the tournament is over with their loss to Duke in the semifinals 67-61 on Saturday, the third time this season they fell to the Blue Devils. The Terps end their tournament with two wins and a loss, including a win over top-10 Wake Forest.

The Terps were close throughout, but fatigue caught up to them in the end. Maryland did not have much of an answer for Kyle Singler on the boards, who despites shooting 3-12 had a double double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Jon Scheyer had the other big night with 22 points, going 4-10 from beyond the arc. In the end, Duke went to the free throw line more and converted those shots.

Eric Hayes had a monster night, hitting numerous shots towards the end of the game and keeping Maryland close, finishing with 20 points; 15 came in the second half. Greivis Vasquez ended with 14 points and six rebounds.

Now the question becomes, will the Terps make the NCAA Tournament? They did most of what was necessary, a convincing win over Wake Forest and getting to 20 wins, finishing 20-13, and not ending with a bad loss. They gained a lot of attention with that Wake win to add to their Michigan State and North Carolina wins. Some say the Terps are a lock, some are not sure. Regardless, we will not know for sure until the selection show. But Gary Williams and the Terps did what they could do to get themselves back on the map.

First Round Complete: Maryland Defeats NC State

A close game to the finish, 7-seed Maryland came out with the victory 74-69 over 10-seed NC State in the first round of the ACC Tournament. They advance to the second round where they will take on 2-seed Wake Forest on Friday.

The Wolfpack had an early 21-8 lead as Maryland's shots were not hitting at all. Key three-point shooting from Eric Hayes and Cliff Tucker put Maryland in the lead, but the teams went into the locker room tied at 29. After getting an early lead in the half, the two teams would go back and forth: between 12:23 and 3:54 no one had more than a two point lead. The Terps were helped by foul trouble to NC State's key players. After getting a four-point lead, Maryland kept the lead with Hayes's free throw shooting and never looked back.

Hayes ended with a career high 21 points on 5-6 three point-shooting, plus Greivis Vasquez got a double-double with 17 points and 10 assists. Dave Neal ended with 10 points, hitting his only two perimeter shots.

Maryland takes on Wake Forest next, a team ranked #9 and one that defeated Maryland just a few weeks ago. A number of NCAA bubble teams have been falling quick, including Providence and Miami, but Maryland at 19-12 still has work to do. If they lose to Wake, it is over.

(Photo credit: Baltimore Sun)

The ACC Tournament: Maryland's Last Chance

It is the final chance for Maryland to make their case for the NCAA, the ACC Tournament. Maryland as the 7-seed will take on 10-seed NC State, a team they defeated by 11 on the road (eight until the last shot), and the winner takes on 2-seed Wake Forest.

Maryland has won only one ACC Tournament game in the last four seasons, that being against Georgia Tech two years ago. It is consensus that the Terps probably need two wins to have a chance. They have gotten a little bit of help so far, including Miami getting defeated by Virginia Tech.

NC State is a 16-13 team that has lost three of their last four games. They shoot 38% from three-point range with their experienced guards Brandon Costner and Courtney Fells, and they do not have much size either, but a number of 6'9'' players will help. This will not be an easy game for Maryland, and things are not looking good after their loss to Virginia, but they still have a chance.

Game against NC State is tonight at 7:00.

(Photo credit: ACC)

Virginia Crashes Maryland's Party

Even after Maryland lost to Wake Forest, their resume still suggested they would make the tournament as long as they took care of business. But like last year, Virginia used their senior night to spoil Maryland's chances. They won 68-63 in Charlottesville, again putting Maryland in dire straits, now looking at their fourth NIT in five years.

The problems were obvious. The bench barely contributed. The three-point shooting was abysmal. They only went to the line six times while their opponents went 24. They could not take advantage of a team that had double their turnovers. Maryland did not make good decisions on the court in clutch time, which led to bad shooting.

But overall, Maryland had to win this game so their would not be many questions about the team and their NCAA resume, instead they pick up a huge loss to a now 10-17 team and must perform very well in the ACC Tournament, where they have not won a game in the last two years. Now at 18-12 and 7-9 in the conference, with their Michigan State and UNC wins hit hard by losses to Morgan State and Virginia, it will take a huge undertaking to convince the committee to put Maryland in.

This is typical of Maryland. They choose not to prepare enough for the lesser teams, and though they have gotten away with it a number of times, once in a while it bites them. Last year Ohio and American, this year Mongan State and Virginia. Sometimes losses happen, but the great teams rebound and get back into contention. Kansas lost to UMass earlier in the season, a terrible loss, but they have rebounded and are now #9 in the nation. But this is typical of Maryland football and basketball, they do not get ready for games they should win easily. Maryland wins today and they look good. They didn't, and now they look terrible. They had a good shot, and like the shooters in the Virginia game, they missed.

(Photo credit: Baltimore Sun)

The Road to the NCAA Tournament: Maryland

Maryland at 18-11 and 7-8 in the ACC is a bubble team that is currently a bubble team trying to get in to the NCAA tournament and avoid going to the NIT for the fourth time in five years. Although many analysts seem to believe that Maryland will get into the tournament, they need to take care of business before they can be sure.

The Terps have one regular season game left against Virginia and the ACC Tournament looming ahead, so they don't have much time to add to their resume. Let's take a look at Maryland's current resume (rankings as of March 3rd):

Maryland (18-11, 7-8 ACC)
SOS: 19
RPI: 57
Key wins: Michigan State, North Carolina
Wins against bubble teams: Virginia Tech, Miami, Michigan
Losses against bubble teams: Miami, Boston College, Georgetown
Key losses: Morgan State

Some things to think about:
--Virginia is a must-win.
Virginia has had a real down year, going only 9-17, losing 12 of their last 14 games. They literally have nothing more to play for, but they would love nothing more than to spoil's Maryland's party. The last thing Maryland needs to do a lose a terrible game this late in the season. Last year Maryland was faced with the same situation, a must-win in Virginia, and Sean Singletary and company beat the Terps down. The Terps can not have the same thing happen this year.

--A win might be necessary in the first round of the ACC Tournament.
Right now Maryland is looking at an seven or eight seed in the ACC Tournament. This could match them up against Virginia Tech or Miami in the first round, possibly NC State. This would be the perfect contest for Maryland, a bubble vs. bubble contest. If Maryland can win this it would give them a quality win plus put them (assuming a win over Virginia) at 20 wins on the season. Obviously two wins would be much better, but at the very least and realistically they need to win their first round.

--The ACC is a powerful conference.
This could be good or bad for Maryland. On the one hand, so many big time teams means that .500 in the conference looks very good. On the other, six teams are locks for the tournament and the Committee despite a weak mid-major field might be hesitant to take too many ACC squads. The Terps will still have to fight to prove themselves.

Right now, the Terps have their eyes set on Virginia. An uphill battle is still being fought, but the Terps still have a chance.

On a different note, it is reported by CollegeFootballTalk.com and ESPN that Florida State likely will been forced to forfeit most of its sports wins during the 06-07 and 07-08 seasons, including football. From the major sports this would include the 24-16 win over Maryland in football in 2007 and a 96-79 win over the Terps men's basketball team in January '07. But it will also impose infractions on Florida State, including the loss of scholarships.

(Photo credit: AP)

Wake Too Much For Terps

The stage was set for Maryland to deliver the midweek upset to lock them into the NCAA Tournament and give Dave Neal a great senior night. But Jeff Teague and the Demon Deacons had other plans, and muscled their way past Maryland 65-63. Maryland had a double digit lead in the first half and a seven-point lead in the middle of the second half. But in a game where the frontcourt play was very physical, the Terps just could not handle the pressure, capped by Jeff Teague's 13 second half points, including a towering dunk over Neal.

The problem for the Terps was that they could not employ their advantages tonight. They are one of the best free throw shooting teams in the conference; only twice to the line tonight. They need to shoot threes well; that did not happen tonight. Landon Milbourne and Adrian Bowie have not been themselves, putting more strain on Greivis Vasquez to perform well. When Maryland tried to employ their fast-paced style, the Deacs employed their cross-zone, which Maryland could not adjust to at all. When Maryland's consistent players don't perform, their lack of depth prevents them from adjusting. Despite all of this, they had a chance to win, but they could not deliver.

Neal was the only one who shot well all night, going 5-6 from beyond the arc and ending with 19 points. Vasquez was 7-24, 28 for three-point shots, getting 17. No one else for Maryland got more than six points.

This puts Maryland at 18-11, 7-8 in the conference, setting up yet another must-win game this weekend on the road against Virginia. Last year the Terps needed that victory and the Cavs spoiled the party; Maryland can't afford that again.

Terps Take Down the Heels!

Before tonight, the Maryland Terrapins basketball team looked like they were about finished. They were beginning a very tough ACC stretch, starting with a drubbing in Clemson. They were coming home to take on both of Tobacco Road's finest, both in the top-10. Gary Williams, though safe according to Deborah Yow, was under fire from the media and his own athletic department. Fans were depressed about the season. Maryland begun their game against #3 North Carolina, and despite playing good defense to start the game, they could not take full advantage of their opportunities. With the Tar Heels by 16 in the second half, and nine with 1:30 left to go in regulation, many were ready to pack it up and get ready for Duke on Wednesday.

But the men in gold weren't going anywhere. They upset #3 North Carolina 88-85 in overtime in one of the greatest comebacks in Maryland history.

With the home gold jerseys that had won them two straight, Maryland never gave up. Despite the foul outs in the front court, including Milbourne, Neal, and Gregory, Maryland did not quit. They came up with huge shots down the stretch to force overtime, eventually prevailing with solid defense and key shots. They played liked their jerseys, golden and representing Maryland like a true team.

Greivis Vasquez had Maryland's first triple double since 1987 with 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. He scored Maryland's first 16 points; at one point it was North Carolina 17, Greivis Vasquez 16. As always he was the emotional leader and was one incredible player tonight. He was constantly creating his own shot and running hard every single possession. For once, Vasquez had all Maryland fans in the Comcast Center on his side.

One of the best players for Maryland was Cliff Tucker, who has earned his time on the court. He shot eight for 12 with 22 points, including an unprecedented 5-7 from beyond the arc. To think just a few weeks ago, rumors were he was thinking about transferring. He stepped up in the absence of Dave Neal, Sean Mosley, Adrian Bowie, and Dino Gregory, who combined for six points. Also factor in Eric Hayes, who despite a very slow start ended with 17 points, including two key free throws in overtime.

It was all about those three. They combined for 26-46 from the field, 13-25 from the perimeter, 20 rebounds, and 74 of Maryland's 88 points. Some of the other players had notable moments, like Dino Gregory's block on Lawson's fast break that made Sportscenter's top-10, but Vasquez, Tucker, and Hayes played their minds out tonight. No one outside of Danny Green had their normal big days, not Hansbrough, not Ellington, not Lawson despite his return to his home state of Maryland.

This does not clear everything up for the NCAA Tournament. There is a lot of work still to do. Sitting at 17-9, 6-6 in the conference, Maryland still has Duke and Wake Forest on their schedule plus away contests against NC State and Virginia. But this win not only gives them a huge resume victory over a top-10 team to add with Michigan State, but this win plus Vasquez's triple double has given Maryland a lot of national attention. Congratulations to Gary Williams, Greivis Vasquez, and the Terps, you earned it tonight.


(Photo credits: AP (crowd, players), Maryland athletics (scoreboard))

Raise High the Gold: Maryland Gets Big Win over Virginia Tech

In their second straight home game wearing the gold jerseys, Maryland delivered a must-win game, winning against Virginia Tech 83-73 on Valentine's Day. They have now won three of their last four games, and although NCAA Tournament hopes are still bleak, this game was what Maryland needed, a strong game from start to finish.

Landon Milbourne and Greivis Vasquez led the way for Maryland with 23 and 17 point respectively as they were both strong against the Hokie defense. Maryland played an eight-man rotation with heavy guard play and fast-paced shooting. Maryland depended on the backcourt three-point shooting and did not try to challenge the frontcourt too much, though the transition play was killer.

I'm not sure what it is about the Comcast Center, but opposing star players do not do well here. Virginia Tech's big-3 did not do well as a trio. Malcolm Delaney, local kid from Towson Catholic, was very cold early on and didn't get the bulk of his 16 points until late. Jeff Allen had eight points and nine boards, but did not have an overall good game. A.D. Vassallo had 20 points, but the other two were not up to par. Add Delaney to the list of Silven Landesburg and Jack McClinton to players that did not play well in the Comcast Center.

Overal, this was a must-win game, and the Terps came through in good fashion. Maryland has three ranked teams in a row on their schedule, at Clemson, then back home for North Carolina and Duke. At the very least they need one victory, though two would be amazing for them. But if they lose all three, which odds in all of those say they will, then their tournament hopes are all but over.

(Photo credit: Baltimore Sun)

A Win is a Win

Maryland will be at least happy they got a win after defeating Georgia Tech 57-56, but that is probably all they will smile about. This was a very ugly win that could have easily gone the other way. Maryland did not play a good game, but Georgia Tech played a worse one.

Maryland did not shoot well at all and could not take advantage of Georgia Tech's turnovers. The Terps tried to employ the newfound face-pace offense, but often found themselves slowing down due to their passing issues. The one thing that did go well was that they were pickpocketing the Yellow Jackets well, amounting 12 steals by the end of the night. And in a close game where no one led by more than four at any time in the second half, the Terps put enough together to win.

Greivis Vasquez had a solid overall day with 19 points and three steals. Eric Hayes had a good day on the stat lines with 15 points and three steals, though had six turnovers and had problematic ball control. He had to start for Adrian Bowie, who was suffering from the flu. In that regard, Maryland could not put their best team on the court, but they still looked very sloppy. Everyone else had less than desireable days, though Cliff Tucker is once again showing why he should get more time off the bench.

Gary Williams was real choked up after the game. No matter what the critics say, it is clear he loves this team and loves to coach.

Maryland will get some well needed rest, as Virginia Tech awaits them on Saturday it what will be another must-win game. The Terps currently sit at 15-8, 4-5 in the conference. If they want a chance at the NCAA Tournament, they will have to win five of the final seven ACC games; a very uphill battle considering they have Duke, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Clemson left on their schedule.

(Photo credit: AP)

College Basketball BlogPoll- This Week

On the second go at the blogpoll, Windsor and I have created an interesting top-25.

The top-4 were very easy, but then things get interesting. Most teams in the 5-12 range had losses this week; either a beatdown by a high ranked team or a loss to a low/unranked squad. Same went to teams around the 18-20 spot. It was a very difficult poll to round out in the end.

Some notes:
--ACC and Big East continue to fight to see which is the better conference. Both conferences have five teams in our top-25, with the Big East having three in the top-5 and both having four in the top-10. Originally is was the ACC with four and the Big East with six, but Florida State's entrance and Syracuse's exit evens things out.
--The SEC finally breaks into the poll, getting LSU in at #24. Florida is one of the last teams out, and South Carolina also has a chance to get in the ranking eventually.
--Dayton would have been in the poll if not for their loss to Charlotte.

Rank	Team
1	Connecticut
2	Oklahoma
3	North Carolina
4	Pittsburgh
5	Louisville
6	Duke
7	Clemson
8	Wake Forest
9	Marquette
10	Michigan St.
11	Butler
12	Memphis
13	Purdue
14	UCLA
15	Xavier
16	Villanova
17	Kansas
18	Arizona St.
19	Gonzaga
20	Illinois
21	Utah St.
22	Florida St.
23	Washington
24	Louisiana St.
25	Missouri

Maryland Takes On Georgia Tech: A Must-Win

It seems like we are saying "this game is a must-win" a lot, but nonetheless it is true. Maryland heads to Atlanta tonight to take on Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are 10-11 overall and are only 1-7 against the conference, including a win against Wake Forest and a loss against the Terps in Maryland's first ACC game about a month ago. Maryland currently sits at 14-8, 3-5 in conference play.

The loss to North Carolina did put a lot of hope into this season even if it might be a little late. Maryland put up 91 on a top-5 team on their home court, and when a team shoots 16-25 from the perimeter, it is hard to win against them.

But in that game Maryland seemed to finally start using their advantages. The Terps know they will likely not win the rebounding war by any stretch. But they have a number of fast guards and can play very well in transition, which was causing many problems to UNC's defense. The constant fast break shooting was very effective. Also, Maryland was not trying to force the 3-point shot, which has caused them major problems in the past. They were pulling off defenders and getting their shots from down low, ending 48% after starting 55.6% in the first half. They had 16 turnovers, same as UNC, 39 rebounds, same as UNC. Now the question becomes can this Terps team continue to play like this.

Maryland takes on Georgia Tech in a rematch from January 10th. Last time, Maryland needed a second half comeback to win. The Terps didn't shoot well at all but constant Yellow Jacket turnovers gave Maryland the opportunity to win. Like last time, look for Georgia Tech to use big men Gani Lawal and Alade Aminu to be big time players; the two combined for 27 rebounds last time as they both got double-doubles. They have lost six of their last seven games, but nearly all of them were close. Maryland will need to play fast and continue their fast-paced style that they developed against North Carolina. This game is a must-win.

(Photo credit: Baltimore Sun)

Maryland Gets Destroyed by the Blue Devils 85-44

There is a reason why Maryland's press release is only four lines long. Maybe it will get longer, but probably not. The fact is there is nothing good to take out of this loss. Nothing. It doesn't matter that Landon Milbourne had 19 points, it doesn't matter that the Maryland defense played all right for 14 minutes. The fact is they lost by 41, the worst loss ever by Maryland to Duke. Duke is a far better team then Maryland that will take the #1 ranking, but you couldn't help but think the Terps just didn't show up in Cameron Indoor Stadium today, a place they call their "home away from home." This is a game they will want to quickly forget.

All year Maryland has been trying to play a game like Duke normally does. A guard-heavy offense that relies on shooting well. Problem is they don't shoot well. They don't have enough accurate three-point shooters or people that can grab the rebounds when they do have problems. Maryland normally runs a mixed offense of forwards and guards, and they are just not used to this. Though they prefer players that are bangers in the paint, even in earlier years with athletic forwards they have found success. But this year, they have neither.

The stats speak for themselves. Outscored 85-44, outrebounded 56-38, outstolen 11-5, outblocked 12-6. None of the Duke starters played more than 25 minutes; they didn't need to. Greivis Vasquez, who says he loves to play at Cameron and feeds off the crowd, shot 2-10 and got four points. Maryland shot 2-12 beyond the arc. It is not to take anything away from Duke, as they are a great team, but this is a rivalry, and rivalry games should be closer than this.

With all of this, Maryland needs to regroup and put this loss behind them. This schedule is not getting any easier, and if they want to go .500 in the ACC, they need to get their act together. They still have North Carolina twice, Duke again, plus Wake Forest and Clemson, all which will be losses if they put performances like today's, count all of those as losses. It doesn't matter if they are close losses, a loss is a loss to the NCAA. There is still time, but they have to be ready.

(Photo credit: Baltimore Sun)

A Look Ahead: ACC Football Coaching Hot Seat

The ACC as a conference did have not a good bowl season, only going 4-6. Halfway through the season, we took a look at each ACC coach and what their current status was on the hot seat. Now that the bowl season is over for all ACC squads, we take a look at next year.

Obviously all of these are subject to change. As Alabama coach Nick Saban said after Tommy Tuberville got fired at Auburn, it is concerning that coaches can be one 5-7 season away from getting fired. Though most ACC schools are not that trigger-happy, Tommy Bowden got fired mid-season from Clemson, so the conference schools are capable of such behavior. So what coaches are in trouble going into next year?

Boston College (9-5, 5-3 ACC, Atlantic Division champion, lost Music City Bowl 16-14 to Vanderbilt)
--Head Coach: Jeff Jagodzinski (2 seasons, 20-8 record with BC): FIRED
Despite an injury to quarterback Chris Crane, the Eagles had enough depth with Dominique Davis to reach the ACC Championship. Coach Jagodzinski has proven he did not need Matt Ryan to lead a good Boston College team. Things could have gone better, and folks in Chestnut Hill are probably not happy about their loss to Vanderbilt, but overall Jagodzinski has done a solid job over his short time.
UPDATE 1/4/09: The BC athletic director has threatened to fire Jagodzinski if he interviews with the Jets for the head coach position, sources tell ESPN. Jagodzinski still plans to talk to the Jets. Situation downgraded from SAFE to SAFE, FOR NOW.
UPDATE 1/6/09: ESPN is reporting that because Jagodzinski interviewed with the Jets, Boston College will indeed fire him.
UPDATE 1/13/09: It is being reported that BC has promoted defensive coordinator Frank Spaziani to head coach.

Clemson (7-6, 4-4 ACC, lost Gator Bowl 26-21 to Nebraska)
--Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (entered mid-season, 4-3 record as Clemson head coach): SAFE, FOR NOW
Dabo Swinney took over as interim head coach for Tommy Bowden mid-season, losing the interim status after the Tigers upset win over South Carolina. The players embraced him, liking his energy and tough personality over the seemingly misguided Bowden. Swinney is only 39-years-old and had never held a job higher than receivers coach. Next season will be a big test, as Swinney will have to do a lot more than just defeat South Carolina, he'll need to compete for the ACC Championship; nothing less is acceptable at Clemson.

Duke (4-8, 1-7 ACC, did not play in a bowl)
--Head Coach: David Cutcliffe (1 season, 4-8 record with Duke): SAFE
Duke University has to love Coach Cutcliffe and what he has done so far, especially after publicly stating he was not interested in the Tennessee head coaching position. Four wins is not much, but Duke only had six wins under Ted Roof's five seasons in Durham. Plus, attendance figures at football games have gotten much higher. Obviously a lot of work has to be done with the football team, but if Cutcliffe wishes to stay, he can stay in Durham for a long time.

Florida State (9-4, 5-3 overall, won Champs Sports Bowl 42-13 over Wisconsin)
--Head Coach: Bobby Bowden (33 seasons, 309-89-4 record with FSU): SAFE, FOR NOW
The Seminoles earned quite the reputation this year, with a solid 9-4 season, defeating Miami, a dominating bowl win, and Myron Rolle receiving the Rhodes Scholarship. Florida State is never going to fire Bobby Bowden, not with all he has done over the years, but he will turn 80 next year, and it is hard to tell how much time he has left as head coach. Even Bowden has said as long as he is there, Florida State won't return to past glory. But Jimbo Fisher, his offensive coordinator, has been named the successor. For now, the legendary coach is not going anywhere.

Georgia Tech (9-4, 5-3 ACC, lost Chick-Fil-A Bowl 38-3 to LSU)
--Head Coach: Paul Johnson (1 season, 9-4 with GT): SAFE
Even with the terrible bowl loss, the critics of the triple-option offense were quieted when Georgia Tech upset Georgia, the first time they beat their rival since 2000. Paul Johnson earned Coach of the Year by CBSSports.com after the upset win and winning all of his home games, and once he has the recruits to use the full force of the triple option, watch out. Coach Johnson has proven he is a tough coach and will be a fierce one in the upcoming years.

Maryland (8-5 overall, 4-4 ACC, won Humanitarian Bowl 42-35 over Nevada)
--Head Coach: Ralph Friedgen (8 seasons, 64-36 with UMD): SAFE
Most coaches have the problem of beating the bad teams then losing to the good teams, while Friedgen seems to have the opposite problem. Maryland had a bad collapse, losing three of their last four, but the Terps had a good season, and Friedgen is safe. He still has a number of critics who say his best years were without his own recruits, but he has gotten Maryland to three bowls in the last three seasons, which is fine in College Park.

Miami (7-6, 4-4 ACC, lost Emerald Bowl 24-17 to California)
--Head Coach: Randy Shannon (2 seasons, 12-13 with Miami): IN DANGER
Before their bowl game, Shannon was looking all right, ending with a winning season and getting ready to lead with a couple of big recruiting classes next year. However recent events have started rumors that Shannon could be in trouble for next year. The problematic clock management during the bowl game, plus the announcement of the transfer of Robert Marve, the starting quarterback, stating that he could not work with Shannon after getting suspended for the bowl game. Shannon has shown he is overall a good coach and he is rebuilding Miami's program, but if Miami falters next season, a lot of pressure will be on the University to fire Shannon.

UPDATE 1/3/09: The head coach of Henry B. Plant High School, Robert Marve's alma mater, has announced that he will not send recruits to Miami anymore. This high school is a strong football program, with alumni including Tim Tebow.

North Carolina (8-5, 4-4 ACC, lost Meineke Car Care Bowl 31-30 to West Virginia)
--Head Coach: Butch Davis (2 seasons, 12-13 with UNC): SAFE
The ACC better be afraid of the Tar Heels in the upcoming seasons. Another top-10 recruiting class is set to come in next season, and with North Carolina's history in football, there will be no pressure whatsoever on Butch Davis. This year the Heels got a ranking, won a big game against Notre Dame, and their first winning season since 2001. The Tar Heels are set to become a big competitor on the national stage...as long as Davis does not leave Chapel Hill.

N.C. State (6-7, 4-4 ACC, lost Papajohns.com Bowl 29-23 to Rutgers)
--Head Coach: Tom O'Brien (2 seasons, 11-14 with NCSU): SAFE, FOR NOW
The Wolfpack were left for dead after starting 2-6, but Russell Wilson led the way to four straight victories to get NC State to a bowl game this year. It has not been a great start for Tom O'Brien, but if Wilson is the real deal, he can get a winning season next year in Raleigh. NC State lately has not been very patient with coaches, and O'Brien may feel the pressure next season.

Virginia (5-7, 3-5 ACC, did not play in a bowl)
--Head Coach: Al Groh (8 seasons, 56-44 with UVA): IN DANGER
Many Virginia fans are surprised that Groh is still the head coach after the Cavaliers started 5-3 only to lose their last four contests, all within 11 points. He is contracted until 2012, so it would take a lot of money to buy him out, but pressure is getting critical on him, even saying at the end of the season that "There are no scapegoats here, the head coach is responsible for the team" in a Virginia press release. If he does not have a winning season next year, that would make three in the last four years, and likely he would be gone.

Virginia Tech (10-4, 5-3 ACC, ACC Champion, won BCS Orange Bowl 20-7 over Cincinatti)
--Head Coach: Frank Beamer (22 seasons, 177-89-2 with VT): SAFE
A conference championship, a BCS bowl win, and you've been the head coach for the last 22 years. Frank Beamer's job is probably the safest in the whole conference, and it is well-deserved.

Wake Forest (8-5, 4-4 ACC, won EagleBank Bowl 29-19 over Navy)
--Head Coach: Jim Grobe (8 seasons, 54-44 with Wake): SAFE
Wake Forest wants Grobe for the long haul, and his recent success shows he has earned it. Another solid season for the Deacs, making three straight winning seasons, and a solid bowl win against Navy. As mentioned before, Winston-Salem had not seen success like this in over 50 years, so unless Grobe leaves, he will be Wake Forest's coach for a long time.

The ACC college football world is done, and next year will be a very interesting one indeed.

(Photo credits: CUTigers.com (Swinney), Sporting News (Bowden), ESPN (Shannon, Groh), Getty Images (Davis))

Lessons of the Old Spice Classic

The Old Spice Classic started with hope and ended with disappointment for Maryland. What was expected to be a first round loss to Michigan State then two contests on ESPNU turned into a huge upset of the Spartans then two losses to ranked teams Gonzaga and Georgetown. Now that Maryland is 4-2, and the rest of the non-conference schedule does not have much to gain from with the exception of Michigan and American, they need to learn lessons from the Classic. The ACC schedule starts in five weeks, and Maryland needs to be ready.

Big men dominate Maryland. Not that we did not expect this, but Maryland undersized frontcourt got dominated by Gonzaga's Josh Heytvelt, Austin Daye, and Georgetown's Greg Monroe, all who stand at 6'11''. Normally Gary has at least two players that can play down low well enough the spread the floor, but Maryland does not have those type players right now. Braxton Dupree is the only player that has the physical nature to be able to play with them, but he is still getting used to starting. He is having trouble receiving the ball on Vasquez's passes and is not being physical enough in the paint. The ACC may be a guard-heavy conference, but a few teams do have strong big men, and Maryland needs to develop the frontcourt game more.

Hello Dave Neal! Dave Neal plays his guts out during the Classic. He got Player of the Game against Michigan State and was always hustling out on the court. For the first time in his four years here, he is playing like he is a forward that can shoot for three. Physically, he is not a great player, but he is showing good senior leadership on the court. With the frontcourt problems, don't be surprised if Neal sees 20 minutes a game come down the stretch if he continues play like this.

When Maryland shoots well, they can play with anyone. Against Michigan State, Maryland was 9-19 from downtown, six of those shots missed from Greivis Vasquez. Adrian Bowie and Dave Neal were hitting those shots from beyond the arc. Combined for the other two games, the Terps shot 4-31 on three-point shots. Vasquez, Eric Hayes. Bowie, and Jin-Soo Kim are considered the main threats from three-point range this season, but all will need to step up. With the problems in the front court, the shooting needs to be better to keep Maryland in contention. Before the season, Gary said that shooting has never been a problem in his time with Maryland. That may be true, but they don't have defense to fall back on if they have a bad day. But, the Michigan State proved that they can play with anyone if they are on their game.

The starting five still are not set in stone. Cliff Tucker did not start against Georgetown, as he had a bad Classic. Landon Milbourne and Dupree were not playing great either. Bowie shot very well, and Neal was a big spark off the bench. Sean Mosley got the start against the Hoyas, but he did not play like anything special. The starting lineup could easily shake up during the year in more inconsistent play is seen. Bowie could start if Maryland had another backup point guard, but with Vasquez and Hayes starting, he may have to stay a reserve for now. It does not look like Dupree will be replaced, as Dino Gregory and Jerome Burney are not playing much. Neal can not replace Dupree; that would be giving up any reasonable down low play.

Maryland made a huge mistake letting Bobby Maze go. Maze is the starting point guard for Tennessee after Maryland pulled their scholarship offer to him to get Tyree Evans, which as we all know ended in Evans not coming here after his criminal past came up. If a Maryland fan saw Maze play for Bruce Pearl's Volunteers this weekend, it would hurt. He is the kind of point guard the Terps would love, a primary passing guard that does not shoot often and shows a lot of energy and passion on the court. Obviously he would not have solved many of Maryland's problems, but they could have used a player like him. Maze wanted to come here, did not have a major problem in his past off the court, and Maryland did not take him over Evans.

Maryland must win the rest of their non-conference schedule. As previously mentioned, only Michigan and American provide any competition to Maryland's remaining non-conference opponents. Though the Classic ended with two losses, that Michigan State win was huge, and hopefully one that will mean something in March. The Terps can not afford a defeat like last year's loss to Ohio. These games are all at home except the BB&T Classic against George Washington. It will be hard for them to win eight straight games, especially after nearly losing to Vermont, but it will give them a lot of leeway for the ACC stretch.

Maryland's next game is the ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup against Michigan on Wednesday at 7:30.

(Photo credit: Baltimore Sun)

Pregame: Maryland at #21 Boston College

On a freezing cold night in College Park last week, Florida State pounded the Terps 37-3, ending Maryland's chances as the ACC Championship. Technically, a win would give them a share of the Atlantic Division title, but Florida State owns the tiebreaker with their win. Now, the Terps have quite the game in front of them. If Maryland wins, the foe that knocked them out last week gets into the championship game. If they lose, then their opponent, Boston College, will get their ticket to Tampa.

The Maryland Terrapins (7-4, 4-3 ACC) take their Thanksgiving leftovers up to Chestnut Hill to battle the Boston College Eagles (8-3, 4-3 ACC) in their last regular season game. The Eagles have won their last three contests, the last two ACC games on the road included. Maryland has lost two of their last three games and has not played a Saturday road game since they were shutout against Virginia October 4th.

Though Maryland does not have a championship to fight for anymore, they may be playing for a bowl spot. Currently eight teams in the conference are bowl-eligible, with the possibility of going up to 10. Earlier this week, Maryland announced that if offered the EagleBank Bowl, against opponent Navy in Washington D.C. on December 20th, the Terps would decline it. The 20th is the last day of final exams, and Maryland does not want to disrupt that. This bowl would be given to one of the lower ACC teams. Though Maryland might still be given a higher-up bowl if they lose, like the Humanitarian Bowl, there is no telling what could happen. To assure a bowl, Maryland needs to win, otherwise they will be chancing it.

Scouting the Competition: Boston College Eagles

Boston College's victory over Wake Forest last week had a high price. Starting quarterback Chris Crane broke his collarbone, and is out for the rest of the year. So in his place, Dominique Davis, a redshirt freshman, will make his first start in his college career. Davis is talented, but replacing Crane, who could throw well and was a threat to run, will be very hard to do, especially with such high stakes on the line. However, Davis led BC on a touchdown drive in the 4th quarter to get the victory last week over Wake.

On the ground, two freshmen runners have been effective. Montel Harris is the primary back, averaging 5.2 yards a carry plus scoring five times. Josh Haden will also see a lot of carries, getting 4.1 yards per rush this season. There are plenty of targets for Davis; five players have at least 19 catches on the season. Rich Gunnell, the recipient of Davis's winning touchdown last week, has 39 catches to lead the unit.

But the key to this team is defense. Senior defensive tackle B.J. Raji (pictured) is one of the most feared d-linemen in the conference. On the year he has six sacks and 30 tackles. Other big time players include junior linebacker Marc Herzlich with 92 tackles and five picks and senior strong safety Paul Anderson, who also has five picks. The defense has 23 interceptions and allows just 95.8 yards on the ground per game. Also, BC has three shutouts this year, taking down Kent State, Rhode Island, and Notre Dame.

Things to look out for:
--Maryland is 6-0 in their last six games against ranked opponents, including four wins this year. They have more wins over top-25 teams this season than anyone else.
--Chris Turner has not had a great game since Maryland's shutout win over Wake Forest. He has had a few decent games since then, but he is due for a huge game, especially for his knack of coming back after big losses.

--Other than his problems with holding on to the ball, Da'Rel Scott has been good the last few games. But BC has a powerful run defense, especially on the line. He will need to be effective on breaking to the outside. Because of this, I'm not sure if Davin Meggett will see much time.
--Because of the injury to Crane, it is essential that Maryland stop the running game. The Terps need to exploit the fact that Davis has not started a game.

Prediction:

When not faced with expectations, Maryland plays a lot better than with them. Now that they do not have a ranking or a chance at the conference title, they will step up against BC's new quarterback. Maryland will make it 7-0 against ranked opponents.

Prediction- Maryland 23, Boston College 20

(Photo credit: Baltimore Sun (Terps photos), Grant Halverson, Getty Images (Raji))

Pregame: Florida State vs. #25 Maryland

This could be the game. Maryland, now back on top of the Atlantic Division with their win over North Carolina last week. This game, it is very simple. If Maryland wins, they will either have the Atlantic Division title or a chance to win it next week against Boston College. If the Terps lose, no chance. Their opponent, a team that has not enjoyed their recent away games in College Park, Florida State.

The Maryland Terrapins (7-3, 4-2 ACC) take on Bobby Bowden's Florida State Seminoles (7-3, 4-3 ACC) in Byrd Stadium tonight. As said earlier, if the Terps want a shot at the championship, they must win tonight. Same goes for Florida State, but they do not control their own destiny. The Terps won their last game against UNC and are undefeated at home this season. The 'Noles have lost two of their last three games and are 2-1 on the road.

Scouting the Competition: Florida State Seminoles

Bobby Bowden and company have won two national titles with the ACC in the 1990s, but recently they have not been up to standard. This season they look much better with a 7-3 record after finally getting a dependable offense. There is no telling how long the 79-year-old Bobby Bowden has, but for now, he is still the main man from Tallahassee.

The key to the Florida State offense is Antone Smith (pictured), the senior running back Smith gets the bulk of the carries, 136 this season, averaging 4.8 yards a carry and has found the end zone 13 times. FSU's success rides on him. Last week in their loss to Boston College, he averaged only 1.9 yards a carry. If he does well, the Seminoles do well.

Their field general is Christian Ponder, giving FSU some success they could not find from Drew Weatherford (still on FSU roster) and Xavier Lee. The redshirt sophomore has completed 54.2% of his passes and has 11 scores plus 11 picks. Another quarterback like Maryland saw with Cameron Sexton last week, he won't win the game, but he won't lose one either.

The defense is nothing special, but watch out for Everette Brown, a bulldozing defensive end. The redshirt junior has nine sacks plus seven more tackles for loss on the season.

Things to look out for:
--Myron Rolle, FSU safety, will miss the first half at least for an interview for the Rhodes scholar award. The plan is to fly him from Alabama to Maryland via private jet for the second half. He is second on the team in tackles, and it is unknown how he'll be even when he plays, much less how Florida State will play without him.
--FSU averages 193 yards on the ground a game. Maryland's rushing defense has not been stellar lately, though they did do well against UNC. With the balanced offense of Florida State, they will need to focus on stopping the ground attack.
--Maryland has won the last two games in College Park against Florida State, including Joel Statham leading Maryland to a 20-17 upset of #5 Florida State in 2004.
--The weather is very cold in College Park, but in was cold in Florida too, so the Seminoles had time to get used to the possible conditions.

Prediction:
Two years ago, Maryland spoiled their chance to get to the ACC Championship at home against Wake Forest. It is possible that this game will determine who goes to represent the Atlantic Division. The numbers edge slightly towards the Terps, but make no mistake, this game will be a close one.

Prediction- Maryland 24, Florida State 20

(Photo credit: Baltimore Sun (Tyler), Athlon Football (Smith), Washington Post (Statham))

ACC Doesn't Deserve a BCS bid? Why?

After this past weekend, when the last two-loss team, North Carolina, lost to Maryland, more and more college football analysts have been arguing that the ACC and the Big East are so poor, that they don't deserve a BCS bid this year.

Some of these people include Mark May of ESPN College Gamenight, Tom Deinhart of Rivals.com, and Jason King of Yahoo Sports. The reasons given include that their possible representative wouldn't be as good as some Big 12 and SEC teams that will be left out of the BCS due to records and their competition. Also mentioned were non-BCS teams that are better than many ACC or Big East teams.

But, all these analysts are completely wrong. The ACC and Big East deserve their place, and history proves that. I focus mainly on the ACC because they are mainly the punching bag of college football analysts. The Big East could get in a team with two losses, and they are targeted too, but not nearly as much as the ACC. But I will mention the Big East.

First off, the argument that the ACC is mediocre may be right, but it is much more competitive than the big ones. For all of the attacks, the ACC currently only has two teams with losing records, Duke and NC State, both at 4-6. The Big Ten has four despite one less team than the ACC, the Pac-10 has five including 0-10 Washington and 1-10 Washington State despite having one less team than the ACC, the SEC has four including normal powerhouses Auburn and Tennessee, and the Big-12 has five. So yes, the ACC may not have that elite team, but the fact that they are arguably the most competitive conference all-around, instead of just three or four teams.

I grant that the ACC has not won a BCS bowl since 1999, but they have been competitive. Most of us remember the 2006 Orange Bowl, where a Penn State team that was 10 seconds away from being undefeated barely got by four-loss Florida State. And if we are keeping out teams that are not being competitive, I would argue Oklahoma and Notre Dame should never be allowed in a big bowl again. After all, Oklahoma has lost four of their last five bowls, three of which they did not show up, and Notre Dame still has not won a bowl game since 1993. The team that beat Oklahoma last year? West Virginia, a team from the Big East, after losing their head coach, a year after they upset Georgia. Maybe they have not been as good as other conferences, but they have proven they can play with the best.

Just to argue, what if Oregon State wins the Pac-10? Yes they have beaten USC, but they are 7-3, don't have great wins other than USC, and if they win their next two games against Arizona and Oregon, they will go to the BCS. Plus if Missouri wins the Big-12, then that throws off everything too. The ACC and Big East will send their one team, but the BCS has worse problems.

I'm not arguing that the ACC or Big East is better than the other conferences, because they are not. They do not have an elite team and the Orange Bowl looks to be a potential ratings disaster. But the fact is you can not just dismiss a conference because they do not have an elite team. The ACC has no pushover team and has played well in certain contests, and that accounts for something. Just let these two play in the Orange Bowl and everything will be fine.