The Maryland Preview and Prediction

by BirdGT on Oct 7, 2011 8:50 AM EDT in Georgia Tech Football

Maryland and Georgia Tech haven't faced off since a 2007 error-filled debacle in College Park. It was one of the more frustrating games of the 2007 season, which ultimately led to the demise of Chan Gailey. The most important thing you need to know about Maryland is that the game has been historically close. Too close. Four of the last six games against the Terps have been decided by one possession.

The second most important thing you need to know about Maryland is that they are wearing a weird as Hell uniform against us. Georgia Tech is notoriously bad in special uniforms (minus our Throwback Thursday white helmets) while Maryland has proven to be streaky in their freaky gear.

Defensively, the Terps were being led by safety-turned linebacker Kenny Tate. However, he is doubtful for the game. I take pregame injury reports in cfb with a grain of salt.

With regards to their team defense, the Terrapins have faced the triple option recently. They defeated Navy 17-14 in the 2010 season opener but still gave up 400+ yards on the ground. If not for two costly fumbles, the Midshipmen would've walked away with a W. I don't foresee this Terrapin defensive unit slowing down Georgia Tech. They are allowing 178 yards per game at, which is good enough for 11th in the ACC.

Offensively, the struggles of Danny O'Brien are well documented this season. He will easily be the best passer Tech has faced in this young season so our secondary should be on orange alert. Despite a poor performance against Temple, the offense has ran the ball fairly successfully. I wouldn't be surprised if Maryland keeps the game close with a strong running game.

I see Tech pulling a win in closer fashion than last week's game. Tech 35, Maryland 28. Tech puts Maryland out of reach with 7 minutes to go in the 4th quarter.

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First Comment

I write stuff From the Rumble Seat.

by BirdGT on Oct 7, 2011 8:51 AM EDT reply actions 7 recs

Welcome back Fridge!

What you just burned wasn’t worth the paper it was printed on anyway…

by TBuzz on Oct 7, 2011 9:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

c'mon yall

how is this not green yet

Better to have died a small boy than to drop this football - John Heisman FromTheRumbleSeat

Twitter, twitter, twitter

by Winfield Featherston on Oct 7, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Red Zone Scoring

This is primarily based off the one full game I watched Maryland play (against Miami). Terps moved the ball down field really well until they got to the Red Zone. Then it all fell apart. Maryland over all is 15 for 20 in the red zone. That’s 75%. Georgia Tech is 24-27, 89%. Just like any team Tech plays this year, they will have to take advantage of opportunities and NOT get stopped consecutively because if they do, they won’t be able to keep up with the Jackets.

Better to have died a small boy than to drop this football - John Heisman FromTheRumbleSeat

Twitter, twitter, twitter

by Winfield Featherston on Oct 7, 2011 9:00 AM EDT reply actions

That's good to know

They sound a lot like the 2010 Yellow Jackets in that respect.

by acedarney on Oct 7, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

38-31 Jackets

Kicking game important.

Come worship at the Heavy Metal Altar of Molten British Steel....
Come...Smoke with the Priest

by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Oct 7, 2011 9:06 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I see this game being a lot more wide open

When Maryland played WVU, the got down 34-10 and then WVU let up and let them back into the game. With Tech’s offense, we should be able to spread them out and score on every other drive at worst. I’m confident that our team will keep playing well and I expect our defense to hold their offense to around three touchdowns. So something like 38-21 or 42-21 sounds like a good score. I haven’t heard anything about their two starting WRs that were suspended though. They would have a huge effect if they recently came back.

by Dwalk1217 on Oct 7, 2011 9:22 AM EDT reply actions

Statement Game.

Tech 51 – Maryland 17

Home game after giving up 21 4th quarter points last week, I think CPJ doesn’t let them forget that. The O-line was really outplayed in the 2nd half, and I think he won’t hesitate bringing in Mason, Braun, or another freshman. I think Tevin stops being Josh Nesbitt and sets his feet better and has a big passing day…I predict Jeff Greene gets a TD with his size.

On defense, Sweeting and Young are the keys to disrupting the QBs timing. Hopefully Munroe or Watts have a big game filling in at LB.

by TBuzz on Oct 7, 2011 9:43 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

c'mon and dive back in

Or else I’ll drink it all!

Better to have died a small boy than to drop this football - John Heisman FromTheRumbleSeat

Twitter, twitter, twitter

by Winfield Featherston on Oct 7, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

“That’s how you become great. You put your balls out there…”

- Jerry Maguire

by TBuzz on Oct 7, 2011 10:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That sounds more like it to me

as long at they don’t make the mistakes they made last week. This time has great potential, and I don’t think Maryland has the defense to stop them.

I don’t think Tech could be LSU or Alabama this year. 2013 is when the run at the National Championship will take place, when these sophomore linemen are seniors and Vad Lee is the quarterback.

by CraigT on Oct 7, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree

I think we can make a run at it next year…Actually I’ve always said this year was our year but I highly doubt even if we run the table they would let us in (see my fanpost about that). Anyways, I think this team will be developed enough on defense to be the team to stop in the ACC next year, (we’ve gone from 64th to 38th in total defense from year 1 to year 2 of Al Groh) and I highly doubt the offense will have less NC State-like games in 2012 and more Kansas-like games (well, you know, not THAT good).

Paul Johnson: not giving a crap about what you have to say since 1987.

by GTNate on Oct 7, 2011 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Tech has allowed

over 20 points in each game. I don’t see this one being any different.

The offensive line is poised to have a great run over the next 3-4 years. I’m pretty sure Mason is the only true freshman that’s not getting the redshirt.

I’m a fan of Greene’s upside, but he hasn’t been targeted in the passing game much. It would be nice if your prediction comes true and he contributes. Two legitimate passing threats are better than one, I always say.

Finally, Watts is out for this game, so it’s up to Munroe.

by acedarney on Oct 7, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Braun has played, not sure if Errin Joe has played.

by TBuzz on Oct 7, 2011 3:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Last I heard

in early September, Braun was not playing and was headed for a redshirt year. I haven’t seen him in the games either. Check out the link below:

http://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/georgia-tech-tries-to-1159280.html

by acedarney on Oct 7, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree,

Especially given the LB situation. I think Groh is going to focus a little more on coverages and less on blitzes like he has been the past few games since they pass so damn much, and a n00b is bound to screw that up at some point.

Paul Johnson: not giving a crap about what you have to say since 1987.

by GTNate on Oct 7, 2011 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I like their uniforms

I don’t want Tech wearing them; I don’t much care for these “modern” Russell uniforms Tech has been wearing the past few years. But at least the jerseys are mostly white and the pants are gold.

I’ve got no problem, though, with other schools wearing flashy stuff. Too bad the Maryland Pride uniform has white jerseys. I like the asymmetry of it.

by CraigT on Oct 7, 2011 1:45 PM EDT reply actions

Ugh

I’m not a fan of UMD’s uniforms. I have a much more classic taste in uniforms. The only good thing about their uniforms though is that they’re being talked about. Imagine if they weren’t wearing hideous uniforms…ESPN wouldn’t have talked about them yet.

by acedarney on Oct 7, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

If Maryland ever plays Oregon...

/head asplode

by TBuzz on Oct 7, 2011 3:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

45-21

The offense does good. The defense bends but doesn’t break. But second string gives up a TD or 2 and on Defense and the Second String Offesnse gets a TD and FG. Maryland has the ball at the end and does a few hail marys just to try and get some points.

by Ramblnwrek on Oct 8, 2011 7:48 AM EDT reply actions

I expected more energy.

After playing so crappy against NC State, I expected a pep-talk that would energize this football team. Instead, we looked even worse. I attended the Navy game against AF last week. Tech played worse than Navy. And that’s pretty sorry, considering how poorly Navy executed. We are going to lose to at least 4 teams: Miami, VT, Clemson and Georgia.

by Plunderman on Oct 8, 2011 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

Last time

Thats the last time i make a prediction. Personally I dont think MD is as bad as their record indicates. But whatever. Win is a win. Lets see if we cant get back to basics and just move the ball. Washington was scared to pitch the ball in the second half. Anyone else notice that?

by Ramblnwrek on Oct 8, 2011 6:01 PM EDT reply actions