Maryland Football: Terps could face tough sledding in 2018

Defense

The Maryland defense wasn’t much better than the offense was in 2017. They finished 13th in the Big Ten in total defense, narrowly edging out Nebraska for the bottom spot. Maryland allowed 419.4 yards per game and gave up a Big Ten worst 59 touchdowns in 12 games. To put that in perspective, the best defense in the Big Ten last season, Wisconsin, allowed 21 touchdowns in 14 games. Maryland isn’t going to flip a switch and become a lockdown defense over night, but they can take some meaningful steps in 2018.

Maryland will have to replace last year’s leading tackle Jermain Carter Jr. but do have the benefit of returning six of their leading eight tacklers. That includes Darnell Savage Jr. and J.C. Jackson, two important pieces in the Maryland secondary who combined for six interceptions and 15 passes defended in 2017.

The stat for the Terps’ defense to key in on will be yards per play. Maryland has averaged more than five yards per play allowed in each of the last three seasons, all under defensive coordinator Andy Buh. With offenses converting at that clip the defense turned to big plays to get off the field last season. Although the 10 interceptions snagged by Maryland last season was the most in the past five seasons it wasn’t enough to slow down their foes down enough. If the Terps can get off the field they’ll have a chance.