ESPN+: Big Ten 2024 preview: Breaking down Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Oregon, Penn State, more
https://www.espn.com...-state-nebraska
Head coach: Mike Locksley (sixth year, 29-33 overall)
2024 projection: 44th in SP+, 6.5 average wins (4.1 in Big Ten)
Maryland just fielded its best pair of teams since 2002-03; Mike Locksley's Terrapins finished 27th in SP+ in 2022, then jumped to 21st in 2023. They were 8-0 in nonconference games and bowls, and within the Big Ten they were a solid 8-4 against teams not named Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State. They even gave Michigan hell twice, losing by a touchdown both years. But they were still 0-6 against the Big Ten East's big three, and these two stellar teams ended up 8-5 both years.
In 2024, no longer stuck in the East division, the Terps face another painfully weak nonconference slate and won't play a projected top-70 team until mid-October. They avoid both Ohio State and Michigan (though they do add Oregon). With another top-30ish team, they would have a shot at 10 wins. But quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and almost his entire offensive line are gone, as are four of the six primary members of a stellar secondary. Locksley barely dipped into the portal, adding just six newcomers. He appears confident in what he's building, but this feels like a reset year before another potential rise in 2025.
In two years with Brian Williams as coordinator, Maryland's D improved from 46th to 28th to 11th in defensive SP+; the secondary was a big reason for that and could be again if Bowling Green cornerback transfer Jalen Huskey (four INTs, seven PBUs, 22.9 QBR allowed) clicks next to safety Dante Trader and slot corner Glendon Miller. The defensive front will be anchored by a pair of 320-pounders (sophomore Jordan Phillips, senior Tommy Akingbesote), and while the linebacking corps thinned out a bit, it returns disruptive juniors in OLB Kellan Wyatt and ILB Caleb Wheatland.
Tagovailoa's extreme efficiency was vital to Maryland's success last year because the run game was mostly inefficient. Two of three primary wideouts (Tai Felton and Kaden Prather) return, as does running back Roman Hemby, who made up for inefficient rushing with strong pass catching out of the backfield. But either sophomore transfer MJ Morris (NC State) or junior Billy Edwards Jr. has huge shoes to fill behind center, and neither was even remotely efficient in a small sample last season. The offensive line returns only two part-time starters, and four of the team's six transfers are O-linemen. At least a couple of them need to stick in the lineup immediately. The Terps' defense should be fine, but it feels like the offense is going to struggle.
My favorite player: nickel Glendon Miller. Another team, another DB favorite. Miller alternated between slot corner and safety and thrived in both positions. He finished 2023 with four interceptions and five pass breakups, and in 19 targets, he allowed only nine catches for 102 yards. The Terps need a couple of new stars in the secondary, but they definitely have at least one.
