Maryland boasts an experienced and deep squad capable of getting to a bowl at the end of the season, but the Terrapins' schedule may limit their success.
The green Terrapins of last season are now a group of tested upperclassmen that wants to erase the memories of two consecutive 5-6 seasons. Seven starters return on offense, and the entire defensive line will look the same as last season.
Depth up front on offense and at running back will complement the veteran squad.
"We have more depth than we've ever had," Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen told the Baltimore Sun. "For six years I've been trying to get it to where we have it right now. It's just we've got to get it done on the field now."
The limiting factor will be the strength of their opponents.
After opening with winnable games against William & Mary and Middle Tennessee, Maryland will face a staunch test when it travels to play No. 5 West Virginia. Later contests at Georgia Tech, Clemson and Boston College will make the road to a bowl bid even tougher.
The home schedule offers the Terrapins some layups against Florida International and Wake Forest. But games against Florida State and Miami may stuff the postseason goal of the Terrapins, who will compete for a limited number of bowl bids in the hotly-contested ACC.
To earn the bid, the Terrapins may have to snatch a victory from one of either their four road or two home tests.
"We're playing a lot of bowl teams," Friedgen said. "We're playing West Virginia, who a lot of people are picking for the national championship.... I definitely think the conference is tougher now. We have to go out and play every week, and every game we play can be a valuable win for us."
To pick up the marquee win, the Terrapins hope their defense will return to dominant form. The defensive line was weak against the run last season, giving up 165.7 yards per game. But with all the starters back, they hope to build on experience.
The leader on offense is returning senior quarterback Sam Hollenbach, who averaged 230.8 yards passing a year ago. He has the talent, but the question is whether he has the targets. After losing their top four receivers from 2005, the Terrapins may have to rely on their three- or four-man rotation at running back to move the chains on offense.
The Terrapins' quest for a bowl bid begins at home against William & Mary Saturday.
"I hope the team is excited about it. I know I am," Friedgen said. "The team has to be tired of hitting each other, so hopefully we'll be ready to play on Saturday."
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