Checking them out

It can be argued that Maryland was just a few bad breaks away from going 7-5 last season, what with three losses by a field goal or less and two others by a touchdown or less. The only trouble with that is the reverse: After finishing 2-10, it was easy to look to two games won by a field goal - including one over FCS opponent James Madison - and say the Terps were also a couple of breaks away from being an embarrassing 0-12.

While that awful season was certainly the low point of Ralph Friedgen's nine years at his alma mater, it doesn't seem to be an anomaly. True, Friedgen's first three teams at Maryland each won at least 10 games. But over the past six seasons - or since routing West Virginia 41-7 in the Gator Bowl following the 2003 season - the Terps are a combined 35-38 with four losing records.

Back on the schedule after a two-year absence - WVU has won four straight in the series since that Gator Bowl - Maryland has plenty of experience back from last season, although whether that's good or bad remains to be seen. Running back Da'Rel Scott, who missed much of last season with a broken arm, is back to lead the offense, along with WR Torrey Smith. The biggest question mark is at quarterback, where sophomore Jamarr Robinson holds a slight edge over freshman Danny O'Brien going into the fall.

Led by senior Alex Wujciak, the linebackers are, as usual at Maryland, the strength of the defense. But as is the case on offense, the line is unproven and wasn't very good last year. The secondary, which finished 105th in the country in pass efficiency defense, has to be rebuilt. But again, is that a bad thing?

The bottom line is that Maryland's 2-10 record a year ago was no fluke. This is a team that was 102nd in total offense, 100th in scoring defense, 97th in turnover margin, 76th in net punting and 110th in sacks allowed. In fact, of the major NCAA statistics, the Terps' highest finish was 39th in kickoff returns, at which they got a whole lot of practice.

All-conference candidates

Notes

After avoiding the hatchet after last season, the 63-year-old Friedgen's future at Maryland is certainly tied to this year's success or failure. Less certain about his future could be offensive coordinator James Franklin. Franklin was named Friedgen's eventual successor a year ago (Friedgen's contract runs through the 2011 season), one of those coach-in-waiting deals. But that was done by Debbie Yow, the Maryland athletic director who just left for N.C. State. The new AD is certainly going to want to make his own hire, which would likely mean a big buyout if the coach he wants is not Franklin.

2010 Maryland schedule

Date    Opponent    2009

Sept. 6    vs. Navy (Mon.)    DNP

Sept. 11    Morgan State    DNP

Sept. 18    at West Virginia    DNP

Sept. 25    Florida International    DNP

Oct. 2    Duke*    L 13-17

Oct. 16    at Clemson*    W 24-21

Oct. 23    at Boston College*    L 17-19

Oct. 30    Wake Forest*    L 32-42

Nov. 6    at Miami*    DNP

Nov. 13    at Virginia*    L 9-20

Nov. 20    Florida State*    L 26-29

Nov. 27    North Carolina State*    L 31-38

* Atlantic Coast Conference games