In turning the page to 2020, Maryland left behind a tumultuous decade in which they won only 50 total games, tied for 98th among all FBS teams, and battled constant off-the-field problems. Unfortunately for the Terps, there's little reason for optimism for the next decade.
Even after signing the nation's 31st-ranked recruiting class in 2020 (holding the nation's 16th-ranked class for 2021) and landing Taulia Tagovailoa, where's the path forward in a loaded division?
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In year one of a significant rebuild, Mike Locksley led a shockingly bad team that didn't do anything right (unless you still care about the Syracuse blowout). They ranked 100th or worse nationally in almost every area on offense— yards per play (111th), points per play (105th), third-down conversions (122nd), red-zone scoring (129th), sack rate (121st), and turnovers (111th)—and defense—yards per play (103rd), points per play (108th), third-down conversions (115th), and sack rate (126th).
The Terps, ranked 99th in the HERO Sports Preseason College Football Rankings, are seeking to avoid back-to-back three-win seasons for the first time 1997-98. They won't do that and, even with a mediocre non-conference schedule, might be lucky to reach three wins.
| Date | Opponent | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | vs. Towson | Win (1-0) |
| Sept. 12 | vs. Northern Illinois | Win (2-0) |
| Sept. 19 | at West Virginia | Loss (2-1) |
| Oct. 3 | vs. Minnesota | Loss (2-2) |
| Oct. 10 | at Indiana | Loss (2-3) |
| Oct. 17 | at Northwestern | Loss (2-4) |
| Oct. 24 | vs. Wisconsin | Loss (2-5) |
| Oct. 31 | vs. Rutgers | Win (3-5) |
| Nov. 7 | at Michigan | Loss (3-6) |
| Nov. 14 | vs. Ohio State | Loss (3-7) |
| Nov. 21 | at Penn State | Loss (3-8) |
| Nov. 28 | vs. Michigan State | Loss (3-9) |
