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NCAA Football

Big 10 Football: Is Maryland Ready To Compete In Conference Play?

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Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

The Maryland Terrapins football team ended non-conference play with a 3-1 record after defeating Syracuse 34-20 last week. Now the Terrapins begin their inaugural season in the Big Ten this week against the Indiana Hoosiers. Nothing says welcome to the Big Ten like a trip to Bloomington, does it? There’s no doubt that Maryland will be pumped to play this game and make a statement early in the season. The Terps could be a surprise team in the Big Ten this year if they stay healthy, something that has been an enormous problem in years past.

If you view the college football landscape after four weeks, the Big Ten looks like one of the weaker power conferences. Ohio State does not appear to be its normal self after losing Braxton Miller, and Michigan is reeling after a 2-2 start. Suddenly that trip to Ann Arbor in November doesn’t seem so scary. Even the conference’s best team, Michigan State, has already suffered a loss against an electric Oregon team.

The best non-conference win for the Big Ten surprisingly came from Indiana, Maryland’s next opponent. The Hoosiers knocked of No. 18 Missouri on the road last weekend. Running back Tevin Coleman is one of the best on the conference with 569 yards and six touchdowns on the season. Maryland’s run defense will be tested this week, and will continue to be challenged in the Big Ten. Having all their linebackers healthy in this game will be key for Maryland. Indiana will have to avoid a letdown after securing an emotional upset last week.

What gives Maryland a chance is their speed and play makers on offense. The Terps have two of the best receivers on the conference with Stefon Diggs and Deon Long. The return of Marcus Leak has been a blessing for quarterback C.J. Brown, giving him another weapon to feed the ball to. With Miller out for the year at Ohio State, you could argue that Brown is now the best dual-threat quarterback in the conference. He’s been inconsistent with his throws at times this year, but has still connected on a number of big plays to help Maryland win games. Brown is a threat with his legs too, which he displayed against West Virginia as he accumulated 161 yards on the ground.

Whether or not Maryland can compete in the Big Ten will be decided in the trenches. The Big Ten is known for having ground-and-pound type offenses that will run it 30 plus times a game. If Maryland can’t stop the run, then they won’t be able to beat anybody. The Terps have capable players on the defensive side who can get the job done; they just have to prove it to themselves and the rest of the conference on Saturday. It’ll be the difference between a bowl season and long season for Maryland.

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