There is football in the air in College Park as the University of Maryland begins its 2024 football season this weekend (8/31) at home against UCONN for a high noon showdown.

Finally game week in Terpsville!

🎟️ https://t.co/NJwF91cuUX pic.twitter.com/TUeq9KXXL0

— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) August 26, 2024

This will be a new era as the Big 10’s leading all time passer Taulia Tagovailoa has moved on, so this will be an interesting to start to the season.

The biggest question mark is who will be under center for this opening contest against UConn. Could it be Jr. Billy Edwards, could it be N.C. State transfer MJ Morris or maybe long shot backup Cam Edge.

Maryland Head Coach Mike Locksley during his first game week press conference of the year was quoted as saying “There’s no competitive advantage in announcing the starter now”. Coach Locksley also stated the he has told the team who it is, but we will never no until kickoff Saturday.

Who ever is under center come Saturday, they will be in good hands as the Terps return 5 starters on the offensive side including 2024 Doak Walker candidate RB Roman Hemby and 2 legit stars at WR in Tai Felton and Kaden Prather.
Besides the QB the biggest question is can the new rebuilt OL hold up and open some holes for Hemby, as the Terps will need a solid year from the Big 3.

The defense will be the strength of the Terps as they return 7 starters including third-team all Big 10 selection Ruben Hyppolite II and honorable mention all BIg 10 selection Quashon Fuller and keep an eye on Jordan Phillips and Tommy Akingbesote. The Terps defense has allowed fewer points per game every year since 2019 and look to continue the trend.

POINTS PER GAME ALLOWED SINCE 2019
Year         PPG Allowed           Difference
2019           34.7 ppg
2020          32.0 ppg                -2.7 ppg
2021           30.7 ppg               -1.3 ppg
2022           23.2 ppg               -7.5 ppg
2023           22.5 ppg               -0.8 ppg

Maryland has won 12 straight season opners dating back to 2010 and is the second longest streak in the country behind Georgia and also has won 13 straight season openers, which is the fifth longest active streak in college football.

CURRENT NON-CONFERENCE WINNING STREAKS
1. Georgia 22
2. Maryland 12
3. Tennessee 10
4. Mississippi State 9
5. BYU, Oregon & Rutgers 7

This weekend against UConn, should be an easy win for the Terp’s and I am of course looking to see who will be the Maryland quarterback, but I am also looking to see if that offensive line make some holes for Hemby and how the protection will hold up. The key is for Hemby to make life easier for the new QB and for that to happen the new OL will have to man up.

On the defensive side of the ball I want to see the Terps’ defense get after the quarterback and I want to see how well that run defense will be. When the Terp’s begin the Big 10 schedule, they will need to get after it as pressure of that front seven will hopefully be there calling card.

Prediction:  Maryland 38 – UConn 10