Can the Maryland Terrapins Reach 8 Wins in First Big Ten Season if Healthy?

Prediction

The amount of injuries and drama surrounding Edsall’s first three seasons at Maryland may have turned into a major positive as they enter the Big Ten.

There’s now tons of depth and experience on both sides of the ball, there is plenty of new talent to add to that, there are lots of returning

Nov 16, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Maryland Terrapins linebacker Clarence Murphy (98) holds out his glove covered hands after the game. The Terrapins defeated the Hokies 27-24 in overtime at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

starters, and many players are returning for injury. Special teams is also good enough to make a difference in a few close games on its own. Edsall hasn’t recruited great at Maryland, but nobody has done a better job recruiting talent that addresses specific needs, and the injuries alone built up the depth he has.

If this were an ACC year, I would easily be calling for a 10 or 11-win season and the potential to compete for a conference championship. The Terps were two close games away from 9 wins last year despite all the injuries and inexperience. Also, what’s lost on people is that the Big Ten wasn’t much better than the ACC last year in football if you go by the numbers, and in fact, a case could be made for the ACC.

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With the First Pick

With that in mind, a generic entry into the Big Ten wouldn’t have changed my prediction, but the Terps are in the Big Ten East, and this year that includes the two best teams in the conference plus Michigan and Penn State. And in the west, they drew Wisonsin and Iowa, the two favorites in that division, meaning the Terps likely have to play the top six teams in the conference. That’s by far the toughest conference schedule of anybody else in the Big Ten and possibly the toughest schedule in the country for a non-SEC school. This reduces the expectations a bit, but not a lot. Add that to a non-conference schedule that includes Syracuse and West Virginia, and the Terps could go 2-10 this year just as easily as they could go 9-3.

The evidence points to the latter. Terps fans can and should expect a 7 or 8-win season this year. The four non-conference games and meetings with Indiana and Rutgers are all winnable, and Michigan, Iowa, and Penn State are all potential steals as well. Forget trying to beat Ohio State, Michigan State, or Wisconsin, but if the Terps can stay healthy, they should at least get 7 wins in a conference that I consider still somewhat overrated, although it’s getting back to its glory days.

There’s plenty of talent to do this and a lot at stake. One great season in the Big Ten would do wonders for the Terps when you factor in recruiting and morale of the students and alumni.