After a 62-14 rout of Wake Forest last week, coach Ralph Friedgen and the team will travel to Miami to take on "The U" on Saturday. The Terps find themselves at 3-1 in the ACC, with a chance to move into a tie for 1st in the Atlantic Division with a victory. Coming off of a disastrous 2-10 season last year, the Terps appear to be back contending for the ACC Atlantic again. However, Maryland's four ACC games include wins against the bottom three teams in the conference, including two very close victories against Boston College and Duke. The fourth game was a mistake ridden game at 2-3 Clemson, where the Terps were routed 31-7. That said, the Terps are riding momentum heading into the first true ACC test of the year, Miami.
The Terps are fortunate that two of Miami's top offensive players will not be in action on Saturday. Starting quarterback Jacory Harris is out with a concussion, and starting running back Damien Berry will not play because of "unspecified injuries". Without Harris in the game, Miami is a different team. After Jacory got hurt early in the 2nd quarter, his replacement and starter against Maryland, Stephen Morris, only managed 162 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 picks in a losing effort to Virginia. Hopefully, this will bode well for a Maryland pass defense that earlier this year surrendered 268 yards and 4 touchdowns to West Virginia's Geno Smith. The loss of Damien Berry will be more significant because he won't be able to make up for the lack of Jacory Harris.
Although the Miami offense will be suffering, the Miami defense is looking like The U of the 80s and 90s; the pass defense that is. Miami's pass defense is ranked 7th in the nation compared to a measly 71st for the run defense. This Miami secondary, highlighted by sophomore safety Ray-Ray Armstrong, is a ball-hawking crew that has 15 picks this year, good enough for 3rd in the country. This secondary plays rough, tough D, and is almost impossible to dissect. The Miami pass defense is phenomenal, but the run defense is not so hot. This run defense is vulnerable, giving up 157.5 yards per game this season.
In order for Maryland to pick up this victory, the Terps must be able to run the ball. Especially with such a lights out pass defense, running the ball will be even more crucial for the Terps. With talented running back tandem Da'rel Scott and Davin Meggett, the Terps will hopefully be able to exploit The U on the ground. The Maryland defense has been playing better lately, and should be able to stop the Miami offense because of these two injuries. This means freshman quarterback Danny O'Brian must play a mistake free game. With a ball-hawking defense like Miami's, O'Brian must take on the role of Game Manager. In this game, offensive coordinator James Franklin's conservative play calling, consisting of short passes, draws, and screen, should be helpful for a change, allowing the offense to avoid the game changing mistakes.
This is a very winnable game for the Terps, and as long as they stick to the game plan, they should be alright. I am predicting a defensive struggle, where both teams will have trouble moving the ball. I think it will come down to who can make that big play on defense or special teams. For Maryland, junior kick returner Torrey Smith and junior punt returner Tony Logan have the ability to change the game whenever they get their hands on the ball. I believe one of these two will make a big play, and set up a victory for the Terps. Final score, Maryland 14, Miami 10.
