Final Season Predictions?
Overall, I look at the schedule like this:
Must and expected wins: Howard, FIU
Swing games: UCF, Purdue, @Penn State, Minnesota, @Indiana, @Nebraska, Rutgers
Expected losses: Michigan State, @Michigan, Ohio State
In DJ Durkin’s first year at the helm, MD wins how many games? (Prior to any bowl.)
UCF was horrible last year, but were also recently a solid program, and I believe Frost will have them improved. Also believe back-to-back road trips to Florida can be difficult for the Terps.
The guys (Zack, CT, and Eric) on Talking Terps went 5, 6, and 7 in their picks for total wins... which seems plenty reasonable.
There are only 3 games on the schedule where MD just doesn't have enough talent on the roster to be really be expected to compete. So, it's what do you do in the other 9 games? You need some scheme advantage, and you can't give away games.
I feel like Durkin and his staff are going to make a nice impact in those swing games. I'll be disappointed if MD isn't in all of those games.