Maryland coach Randy Edsall gets a fresh start in 2012, and he believes his team has bought in to what he is trying to do in College Park. There is a lot of pressure on Edsall for his team to perform. Here are the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Terrapins:
Best case: Quarterback C.J. Brown masters new offensive coordinator Mike Locksley’s scheme, and freshman wide receiver Stefon Diggs makes a big impact. Linebacker Kenny Tate is healthy and a difference maker on the defensive side. Maryland wins its first three games and five of its first six. The Terrapins go 3-3 in a brutal final half of the season, finishing 8-4 and getting back to a bowl game.
Worst case: Both the offense and defense struggle with new coordinators. The team loses for the second year in a row to Temple and then Edsall drops a home game to his former team Connecticut to start the season 1-2. The Washington, D.C. media continues to pile on the program. Maryland is only able to win three games, and more players continue to leave the program.
Last year’s best case: The season got started on the right foot with a home win over Miami. However, things quickly went downhill with a loss to West Virginia followed up by a 38-7 loss at home to Temple.
Last year’s worst case: Almost everything that happened after the opener against Miami can be considered a worst case scenario for Edsall. He had to replace both of his coordinators while dealing with an unbelievable amount of player attrition after a 2-10 season. It’s tough to imagine his first year going any worse.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.
