It is football season again. In College Park, Maryland it is a season of change. Unlike last season when “the future is now”, 2009 is one for the future.
Many seniors and a key junior (Darius Heyward Bey)have moved on. Then the defense lost a key player to academics. The 2009 team is very young.
On defense, new DC Don Brown is bringing an attacking scheme to College Park. Look for a return to the style used in the earlier years of Freidgen’s tenure when the defense was under Gary Blackney.
On offense, Chris Turner is finally the starter at qb. For the 2nd season under Coach James Franklin’s west coast offense, look for Da’Rel Scott to have an all-conference year at tailback. The offensive line is a bit unsettled at the moment with 4 new starters.
Special teams features all-conference punter Travis Baltz and returner Torrey Smith.
With 7 home games and a very young offensive line, 7 wins would be a reasonable expectation. Look for a bowl game at RFK Stadium in the Eagle Bank Bowl.
The Terps get started at 10p Eastern on Saturday Sept. 5th at the University of California Golden Bears.
This post can also be seen at http://bleacherreport.com/articles/239446-terps-football-outlook-for-2009