Both teams have to win a few to make it a rivalry and lately the Terps have not been beating the Mountaineers. Saturday, Maryland’s young upstarts get a shot to make this a dream season. Well, at least the beginning of a dream season.
The 2-0 Terrapins travel to Morgantown, WV to take on the 2-0 Mountaineers. This is Maryland’s version of a border war. The Maryland – WVU series was even until WVU has taken the last few. The Terps last had a good game against WVU in the 2004 Gator Bowl.
The past two seasons, California replaced WVU in the Terps schedule.
On Saturday Maryland could win their 3rd of the season and then face Florida International and Duke with a chance to run their record to 5-0. Of course a 4-1 record would not be a failure, but the 5th win would make this a special start to the season. This all coming off of a 2-10 campaign of a year ago.
Taking the viewpoint of my favorite little Terps, this game is huge. “We need to beat them because I don’t remember ever beating them”, that is the view from a 9 year old. From a 12 year old’s vantage point, “If we win this game all the fans will come back (sic to Byrd Stadium) and we will get ranked.” To add fuel to that fire, he continues, “Ralph won’t get fired if we beat West Virgina. We would only have to win two more game to go to a bowl.”
The kids have it right. It wouldn’t be a killer if we lose, but what a victory it could be. We must define the moment.
Go Terps!