Navy at Maryland
Written by Matthew Martz - Google +
The Midshipmen of Navy face off against the Maryland Terrapins at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Monday, September 6, 2010. Game time is 4:00 PM ET. This match up is sure to be one of the more interesting ones rounding out Week 1 of the season, and odds show the Midshipmen -6 over Maryland with a total set of 49 points.
These two teams will clash for the 21st time in history on the grid iron with the Terps winning the most recent meeting between the two schools, defeating Navy, 23-20 back in 2005. However, the Midshipmen hold a 14-6 lead over Maryland in the all-time series and that includes a 3-2 edge over the Terps in matchups in Baltimore.
Navy is coming off one of their best campaigns in recent history in which the Midshipmen tallied up 10 victories, en route to its seventh straight Commander-In-Chief Trophy. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo set a school record with 18 wins in his first two seasons, and with a winning campaign in 2009, Navy has posted eight or more wins in seven straight seasons.
Meanwhile, Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen enters his 10th season at the helm for the Terps and will be looking to improve on an abysmal 2-10 season, the worst in his decade long tenure. An early win against Navy could go a long way in helping to build team moral for the 2010 campaign. The Terrapins has fared well in season openers, winning six of nine, and five of its last six.
Coming off a stellar 2009 campaign quarterback Roy Dobbs will carry Navy in 2010. The senior rushed for 1,203 yards, breaking Tim Tebow’s record for rushing touchdowns scored by a quarterback with 27. Dobbs is a dual threat, but won’t be the only one carrying the ball for Navy come Monday.
Running backs Aaron Santiago and Gee Gee Greene will help to bolster the triple-option offense.
However, for the triple-option to be effective, you must have an offensive line that can provide the blocks necessary to create the holes needed to bust off the major yardage. Luckily for the Midshipmen, they have just that in the form of seniors Jeff Battipaglia and Matt Malloy up front.
Defensively Navy was merciless just a year ago. The front seven will be anchored by Jabaree Tuani, who will be looking to rebound after a mediocre sophomore season. The second row is very green with senior MLB Tyler Simmons the lone returnee with any experience, as his 68 tackles ranked third on the team.
The secondary, has a host of returning starters that include defensive captain Wyatt Middleton who collected 68 tackles a year ago.
In contrast, Maryland struggled offensively for much of 2009, but a core of key players will return for this upcoming season.
The Terps will get back Da’Rel Scott who was a First-Team All-ACC selection in 2008, but had an awful showing last year, finishing with an anemic 424 yards. However, with three starters back on the offensive line, Scott should be able to raise the bar.
Quarterback Jamarr Robinson, who started two games in 2009 and played in five others, will start behind center. The junior will have two capable targets in All-ACC Second-Team pick Torrey Smith, and senior Adrian Cannon.
The Terps’ D also had its share of troubles last season and unfortunately they probably will continue as there is not much experience at any depth.
One of the few returning starters for this unit however, is senior linebacker Alex Wujciakwho is one of the top linebackers in the entire nation, coming off a season in which he ranked eighth nationally in tackles per game en route to All-ACC First-Team honors.
The secondary is led by defensive back Cameron Chism, who collected four interceptions a year ago.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Navy -6 – Maryland played poorly just a year ago and a win to start the new season is unlikely to happen as Navy puts one in the win column by the final whistle.
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