Maryland Terrapins Football Season Preview: Key Games and Players to Watch
As I sit down to write this Maryland Terrapins football season preview, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of anticipation and anxiety that comes every August. Having followed this program for over a decade, I've learned that preseason expectations can be both a blessing and a curse. This year feels different though - there's a tangible energy around College Park that suggests something special might be brewing.
The Terrapins are coming off a respectable 8-5 season that included some impressive wins but also revealed areas needing improvement. What really sticks with me from last year was that heartbreaking 31-29 loss to Ohio State where we came so close to pulling off the upset. That game showed both our potential and our limitations in equal measure. Coach Michael Locksley enters his fifth season with what might be his most complete roster yet, returning 15 starters including what I believe could be the best offensive line we've had in years. The offensive line returns four starters, and that continuity should pay immediate dividends in both protection and run blocking.
When we talk about key players to watch in this Maryland Terrapins football season preview, it's impossible not to start with quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. Yes, I know he's the obvious choice, but having watched every snap of his college career, I'm convinced he's poised for his best season yet. He needs just 1,062 passing yards to become the Big Ten's all-time leader, and something tells me he'll get there by mid-October. What often gets overlooked is his improved decision-making - his interception rate dropped from 2.8% in 2021 to just 1.4% last season. Those numbers might not mean much to casual fans, but for us die-hards, they signal a quarterback maturing into his potential.
The receiving corps deserves more attention than it's getting. Rakim Jarrett might have moved on to the NFL, but Jeshaun Jones and Tai Felton give us legitimate deep threats. I've been particularly impressed with Felton's development during spring practices - his route running has become noticeably sharper. Then there's sophomore Shaleak Jones, who at 6-foot-4 provides the big red zone target we've been missing. I'm predicting he'll double his touchdown total from last season.
Looking at the schedule, there are three games that will define our season, and honestly, they're the ones keeping me up at night. The September 23rd showdown at Michigan State will reveal whether we can win tough conference games on the road. Then there's the October 7th home game against Ohio State - the one I've had circled since schedules were released. But the most intriguing might be the November 18th matchup with Michigan at SECU Stadium. If we're going to break through in the Big Ten East, we need to win at least one of these marquee games, something we haven't done consistently enough in recent years.
The defensive side of the ball brings both questions and excitement. Losing Deonte Banks to the NFL draft hurts, but I'm bullish on Jaishawn Barham becoming the next great Maryland linebacker. The sophomore recorded 58 tackles and 4 sacks last season despite limited snaps early on. His combination of speed and football IQ reminds me of former Terp Jermaine Carter, who's now thriving with the Jaguars. The secondary concerns me though - we allowed 265 passing yards per game last season, which ranked 98th nationally. That simply won't cut it against the explosive offenses we'll face.
Special teams often gets overlooked in these previews, but having watched games where special teams mistakes cost us victories, I can't stress enough how important this unit will be. Colton Spangler returns as punter after averaging 43.8 yards per punt last season, but the placekicking job remains unsettled. During the spring game, neither Chad Ryland nor Jack Howes looked particularly sharp from beyond 40 yards. This could be the difference in close games.
Here is a preview, things to watch out for, and keys to Game 1 set on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena. While that reference might seem out of place for a football preview, it reminds me that every season begins with unknowns and possibilities. Our opener against Towson on September 2nd should tell us a lot about this team's identity. I'll be watching how we establish the running game early - last season we averaged just 3.8 yards per carry in our first two games, which put too much pressure on Tagovailoa.
What gives me genuine optimism this year is the depth we've developed. For the first time in recent memory, we have legitimate two-deep talent at most positions. When Tarheeb Still went down with an ankle injury during spring practice, Gavin Gibson stepped in without noticeable drop-off. That kind of roster development signals a program maturing under Locksley's leadership.
As I wrap up this Maryland Terrapins football season preview, I believe this team has the potential to win 9-10 games if things break right. The offense should be explosive, the defense improved, and the schedule, while challenging, provides opportunities for statement wins. My prediction? We'll finally break through against one of the Big Ten giants, finish third in the East division, and earn a respectable bowl bid. But what I'm most excited about is simply watching this team grow week to week - there's a special kind of joy in witnessing a program find its identity. See you at SECU Stadium on September 2nd - I'll be the one in the red hat nervously chewing through my fingernails during close games.