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2017 Game 1: @ #23 Texas Sept. 2nd Noon FS1


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#1 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 22 July 2017 - 08:28 AM

Burnt Orange Nation: Texas Longhorns 2017 schedule preview: Maryland Terrapins
https://www.burntora...yland-terrapins

 

Dallas Morning News: Game by Game Predictions
https://sportsday.da...ns-first-season



#2 BSLZackKiesel

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Posted 22 July 2017 - 09:48 AM

Burnt Orange Nation: Texas Longhorns 2017 schedule preview: Maryland Terrapins
https://www.burntora...yland-terrapins

 

Dallas Morning News: Game by Game Predictions
https://sportsday.da...ns-first-season

Always interesting to read the perspectives of the opposition. Seems like the consensus is that Texas will take care of business pretty easily and coast their way to a victory.

 

Two big keys for Maryland here:

  • Passing Game: This is the biggest unknown about this team. None of us have even seen Henderson practice since he arrived in College Park. If the offensive line can keep him upright and he can do enough to complement what should be a killer running game, that would be huge.
  • Defensive Line: Especially the tackles. They can't let Texas run all over them. They want to go-go-go just like Maryland, and getting big runs up the middle is an offensive coordinator's dream when he wants to go fast. Line 'em up and run it again. and again. and again.

I can't predict a win here, but I don't see a blowout either. The first game is always the toughest to predict, since you have no idea where either team stands, especially with Maryland's new QB situation, and Texas with a brand new head coach and new schemes on both sides of the ball.

 

Hard to believe we're just over a month away from my favorite time of the year: college football season. 


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#3 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 22 July 2017 - 10:05 AM

Some are touting Texas as a Big 12 sleeper.  Would be huge for MD to leave Austin with a W.  Like you, can't predict that. 

I want to see the Terps compete though.

 

Hopefully we hear gains from MD's passing offense (including pass blocking) during camp.


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#4 BSLMikeLowe

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Posted 22 July 2017 - 07:14 PM

Seems like it was 10 years ago that the schools agreed to this series (I know Friedgen was still around at the time, and Yow may have been too). So glad it's finally here. While a loss is more likely than not, I think we will learn a lot more about this team from this game than we would if they were playing the Howards and Richmonds of the world. I mostly hope they take care of 3 things in Austin:

 

1) No more 50-point blowouts against ranked teams (Texas has a good shot at cracking the preseason Top 25).

 

2) Score. That goose egg for points scored all-time vs the Longhorns looks damn ugly.

 

3) Play respectably enough that after the game, the UT blog writers at least know our coach's name. (Durkins? WTF?)


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#5 BSLZackKiesel

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Posted 24 July 2017 - 07:12 AM

3) Play respectably enough that after the game, the UT blog writers at least know our coach's name. (Durkins? WTF?)

Hey, I hear this Todd Hermans guy is a pretty good coach.


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#6 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 24 July 2017 - 07:52 AM

Some things I'll be looking to see...

 

1) Can MD pound the rock? Terps have the backs, have a good run-blocking O-line...

2) Can the pass offense do enough to help the running game? There are weapons... Can Henderson find them?

2a) Can the pass blocking hold up?

3) How does MD's Defensive Front 7 do against the Texas O-line? Can you create consistent pressure? Can you slow their ground game?

4) Are MD's LB's more athletic than they were in '16? Can they run to the ball?

5) Can MD's Secondary hold up in man?

6) Can Special Teams show up ready to go... and avoid a big error on the road in a hostile environment game 1?


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#7 Mike B

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Posted 24 July 2017 - 09:31 AM

Some things I'll be looking to see...

 

1) Can MD pound the rock? Terps have the backs, have a good run-blocking O-line...

2) Can the pass offense do enough to help the running game? There are weapons... Can Henderson find them?

2a) Can the pass blocking hold up?

3) How does MD's Defensive Front 7 do against the Texas O-line? Can you create consistent pressure? Can you slow their ground game?

4) Are MD's LB's more athletic than they were in '16? Can they run to the ball?

5) Can MD's Secondary hold up in man?

6) Can Special Teams show up ready to go... and avoid a big error on the road in a hostile environment game 1?

Your nail it with 1-2 and 3.  Every good team is strong up front on both sides of the ball.  Edsal, assumed he could not get top quality lineman. and hoped to luck into one or take big kids and develop them. He had some success, but the lines. especially the O Line, in general were found lacking and Maryland got pounded.

 

DJ has ramped up the recruiting and has gotten some young talent.  It will take time to develop and as it does, expect the results to follow.

 

Starting in Texas is ambitious, but it looks good to recruits. Getting the upset would be terrific.  Making the game close and exciting would also be a nice step up.


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#8 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 24 July 2017 - 09:41 AM

Here's another... can the defense create turnovers?



#9 BSLZackKiesel

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Posted 24 July 2017 - 10:39 AM

Your nail it with 1-2 and 3.  Every good team is strong up front on both sides of the ball.  Edsal, assumed he could not get top quality lineman. and hoped to luck into one or take big kids and develop them. He had some success, but the lines. especially the O Line, in general were found lacking and Maryland got pounded.

 

DJ has ramped up the recruiting and has gotten some young talent.  It will take time to develop and as it does, expect the results to follow.

 

Starting in Texas is ambitious, but it looks good to recruits. Getting the upset would be terrific.  Making the game close and exciting would also be a nice step up.

To be fair, 4 of the 5 starting offensive linemen this year will be former Edsall recruits. One 5-star, one 4-star, and two 3-stars. It takes at least 3 years to develop even the best offensive linemen into Big Ten starters. Terrance Davis starting last season as a true freshman was an anomaly, not the norm. Most of the talented guys who Durkin has brought in over the last couple years won't see the field for a few years. When you rebuild a football program, it's easy to get big contributions from freshman skill players. But the reason why most rebuilds don't come full circle for 4-5 years is the development of both lines. That's what takes the most time and effort.


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#10 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 25 July 2017 - 07:21 PM

SI: Connor Williams Is the Reason Texas's O-line Isn't a Punchline Anymore
https://www.si.com/c...-solomon-thomas



#11 TerpInTheSouth

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Posted 26 July 2017 - 03:29 PM

I'll also join the chorus unable to predict a win but not expecting a blowout.  I actually think Texas is as big a question mark as Maryland for the opener-a new coach taking over a majorly under-performing team.  Will they flip the switch from day one?  TBD, but if Maryland can survive the first quarter without being dominated or making a critical mistake(s) that leads to points for the Longhorns, I think they can compete. 

 

As I wrote recently, I don't think this year is about beating top teams (Texas may or may not be one of them this season) but about competing.  It is critically important that Maryland compete in Austin (and score, which they have yet to do in three games vs. Texas).  Failure to do that will make it extremely difficult for the 2017 team to gain any traction.


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#12 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 02 August 2017 - 06:31 AM

Sports on Earth: Herman Builds New Texas Foundation
http://www.sportsone...rman-first-year



#13 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 02 August 2017 - 03:35 PM

SI: How Herman Turned Around Texas's Recruiting



#14 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 08 August 2017 - 10:17 AM

Texas Sports.com: Tracking the Longhorns: Tom Herman media availability [July 31, 2017]
http://www.texasspor...ly-31-2017.aspx

 

Texas Sports.com: Tracking the Longhonrs: Tom Herman media availability (August 7th)
http://www.texasspor...x?path=football



#15 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 11 August 2017 - 07:11 AM

PressBox: DJ Durkin: More Depth, Competition 'Makes Such A Difference'
http://www.pressboxo...ch-a-difference



#16 You Play to Win the Game

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Posted 11 August 2017 - 07:18 AM

I think Herman is the real deal, and Texas recruited well under Strong, so they are certainly not bereft of talent. But neither is Maryland, and this is year 2 under Durkin. I want to see them compete. Handicapped right out of the gate though, if they have to start Piggy, which seems to be the early indication at the moment. I'd honestly rather go Hill if Hendy isn't ready, but evidently Pigrome has done a good job "managing" the offense in camp. 

 

Zack and Jim, what are your thoughts on the QB situation?



#17 BSLMikeLowe

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Posted 11 August 2017 - 11:00 AM

Walt Bell's quote on BTN regarding the starting QB was interesting. I'm paraphrasing, but he essentially said the other offensive players know who the starter is before the coaches do by how they naturally gravitate towards that guy. He also said at that point two guys were out in front, presumably Pigrome and Hill. I imagine at this stage they put a premium on which QB makes the fewest mistakes in practice.


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#18 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 13 August 2017 - 03:17 PM

Bleacher Report: Texas Football Players Went Wild When They Saw Their New Locker Room
http://bleacherrepor...new-locker-room



#19 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 19 August 2017 - 08:09 AM

Dallas Morning News: The five biggest storylines sure to shape Texas' 2017 season
https://sportsday.da...xas-2017-season

 

Dallas Morning News: Should Texas be panicking about RB injuries? Which non-conference win would make the Big 12 look the best?

https://sportsday.da...ig-12-look-best



#20 SportsGuy

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Posted 19 August 2017 - 09:09 AM

Should be happy to stay within 2 TDs.




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