2015 Big Ten Closing Arguments: Maryland Terrapins

Despite getting the team back to a bowl game and it's first back to back winning seasons since the mid-2000's, Randy Edsall is still facing some heavy criticism in College Park.  Does he have what it takes in 2015 to quiet his doubters and prove he deserved his contract extension?

I. Case History/Opening Statement

A. Case History

What is there to say about 2014 that hasn't already been said? I think Maryland somewhat surprised some Big Ten fans in 2014 (Hi Iowa!) and until they collapsed hard against Rutgers in the season finale they looked to be on track for an 8-4 regular season.  All things considered, especially the so-so offensive line, Maryland did quite well and I would say exceeded expectations of most Big Ten fans.

B. Opening Statement

Can it be 2014 again? I don't think I'd ever hear myself say this after sitting through so many of those games last year but given Maryland's precarious quarterback situation I find myself yearning for the stability that the non-existent QB battle brought 2014.  Maryland faces a daunting schedule in 2015 against the Big Ten East along with crossovers of Iowa and Wisconsin, which ranks up there with one of the tougher schedules to deal with.  The non-conference? Well, I wish we had Penn State's cake walk, but we decided to schedule real opponents with West Virginia and a Bowling Green team who returns almost all starters and was highly efficient on offense.

Oh, Maryland.  Right.  Maryland is breaking in two new starters on the OL in Damian Prince at RT and Derwin Gray at LT with a possible third at center with redshirt freshman Brandon Moore.  Yes, three RS Freshmen.  Derwin Gray is sidelined with a shoulder injury but is expected to return in September, putting three, albeit highly rated, redshirt freshmen on the OL.  Behind that? Oh, just an unsettled quarterback situation that has last year's third stringer in the lead right now in Perry Hills.  Defense? Just a transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3.  Wow, this was not such a positive opening statement as I would like it to be..

C. Timeline of Events

II. Discovery

A. What we've written about Maryland this Offseason

B1G 2015 // Maryland Cocktail Party

B1G 2015 // Maryland Personnel Files

B1G 2015 // Maryland Potluck

B1G 2015 // Randy Edsall's Contract Extension

B1G 2015 // Crabcakes and Riots thats what Maryland does

B. What can we learn from pop culture?

Do we look like Rutgers with entire series of Jersey Shore dedicated to how terrible we are? Really?

III. Emotional Plea

Randy.  Don't do it.  Grow some balls and for once don't go with the safe pick in Perry Hills at quarterback.  Sure, he's a game manager, but jesus the last thing we need is the low risk, low reward pick.  Go wtih Daxx Garman if you aren't going to put Perry Hills in, but for heavens sake put in a quarterback that isn't going to throw a floater in the air if it's over 25 yards!  Hills might know the playbook better but Garman or Rowe gives you the better chance of winning!

IV. Verdict

So, needless to say the OTE staff does not have a ton of confidence in Maryland this upcoming season.  What reason's do they have? I mean, who doesn't have overwhelming confidence in a team with 3 redshirt freshmen, a new qb, and a transitioning defense from 3-4 to 4-3? The OTE team sure doesn't with a predicted record of 5-7.