Maryland’s football team has rediscovered its inner “it.”
The Terrapins missed that unknown quality the last two years that turns borderline teams into winners. But somewhere in the second-half rally over Virginia on Oct. 14 when surviving a Cavaliers’ tying two-point conversion attempt for a 28-26 win, Maryland evolved from promising young team to bowl contender.
The timing of the Terps’ emergence is perfect because the next five games will define their season. Maryland (5-2, 2-1 ACC) has largely fulfilled expectations — beating two comparable conference teams and three small non-conference schools while losing to ranked West Virginia and Georgia Tech. Now the Terps enter a stretch as the constant underdog capable of an upset.
Maryland needs one more win to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2003, and it won’t come easily when hosting Florida State (4-3, 2-3 ACC) on Saturday at Byrd Stadium. It’s just the beginning of the defining stretch when traveling to Clemson, hosting Miami and traveling to Boston College before finishing against visiting and surprisingly ranked Wake Forest.
That’s three ranked teams plus Florida State and Miami in down years. Finding a victory or two in there is harder than solving the Nationals parking problems.
The Terps seem to have finally regained the confidence missing since winning 31 games in 2001-03, though. A 20-point rally against Virginia will do that. Now Maryland is thinking of grabbing a sixth victory right away versus a down Florida State and then who knows, maybe the Terps can finish with eight or nine wins and take the division title.
“People are looking forward to game day like it’s an opportunity todo something great,” punter Dan Ennis said. “We want to make the ACC Championship game.”
It’s a big dream for a team that just a few weeks ago escaped winless Florida International. The Terps have steadily improved and nearly upset then-No. 18 Georgia Tech. Maryland then recovered from a 20-0 halftime deficit to Virginia and handled N.C. State 26-20.
The Terps are only slight underdogs for once to the Seminoles, who have a 15-1 series lead. Fans remember Maryland’s 20-17 upset over the No. 5 Seminoles at Byrd in 2004, though. Beating a talented Florida State team no matter its record, can vault the Terps into the rankings and ACC title chase.
“You’re only a win away from being back on top,” coach Ralph Friedgen said. “Unfortunately, it goes the other way, too.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
