2012 Program Preview - Maryland

Maryland has a head coach who is, let’s say, not revered. Perhaps because Randy Edsall is not the most likeable dude, 13 players have left the team since the end of last year. Since taking over, 24 players have left. That’s impressive in the worst possible way.

After taking Connecticut to the Fiesta Bowl in 2010, Edsall’s first year in Maryland saw the Terrapins post a lousy 2-10 record. A 1-7 conference record (the lone conference win coming in the season opening win over Miami in the aforementioned uniforms) doesn’t suggest an upwardly-trending program. With the pressure that Edsall will be facing in 2012 (BTW, former Maryland HC Ralph Friedgen went 75-50 and won 9 games or more five times...), the pressure will filter down to the new team he puts on the field.

Fun times are ahead in College Park.

After the jump, the prospects worth noting as well as some games and matchups to pencil into your calendar.

Testudo Times (SBN Maryland community), SB Nation team page, official team site, Dane Brugler’s preview for CBS Sports, video from Josh_D at the MTD Prospect Film Library (Maryland O v. W. Va. D, 2011; Maryland D v. W. Va O, 2011)

Tate was a fringe 1st rounder, IMO, before a move to OLB at the outset of last season. While he struggled initially, he showed improvement by the time the Towson game came around in early October. Unfortunately, he suffered a mystery injury in October that he required surgery for; neither Edsall nor Tate have disclosed the injury. That will change when Tate goes through the draft process.

While most the talented youth have moved on, Till had an impressive first year. Should true freshman Stefon Diggs feature at WR from day one, he’ll be a talent you should expect to hear about.

The tale of two programs. Temple, pre-2007, was one of the worst programs in the country. From 1991, the year Temple joined the newly formed BIg East, until 2006, the year before Temple joined the MAC, Temple won more than 4 games...none times. Zeronce. They were bad.

In comes Al Golden, and resuscitates the progam; in his final two years and Steve Addazio’s first in 2011, Temple’s gone 26-12 including a decisive New Mexico Bowl victory last year over Wyoming. Sure, they never pass, and no they’re not incredibly talented prospect-wise. But they’re set up to be competitive in 2012 having returned to the Big East. That could mean big things on the recruiting trail.

On the other hand, Maryland is clinging on both in terms of performance and talent acquisition. Given that Temple’s and Maryland’s recruiting maps overlap in more states than one, this is a statement game for both programs.

This could be a decisive game not just in terms of Maryland’s 2012 season, but the fate of the program and Randy Edsall. If things crater, this could be a career-deciding matchup.

Drakeford plays WLB in Maryland’s 3-4 defense, and will have to deal with Aboushi’s impressive skill set when rushing the edge. It should help having Joe Vellano on the same side, but it’s still a difficult matchup for Maryland.