Nov 25, 2011; Nashville,TN, USA; Monmouth Hawks head coach King Rice greets guards Andrew Nicholas (13) and Jesse Steele (2) during a first half time out against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Gym. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Editor’s note: This article was written by another staff member, Chris Bengel. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @DurtyPuckhead whenever you get the chance.

Monmouth is a member of the Northeast Conference and sitting in 4th place with a 5-5 mark. Their keys wins include Lafayette, Binghamton, and Hofstra and have lost to national powers Syracuse and Notre Dame by considerable margins. In four of their five losses, the Hawks have lost by double digits. This is yet another home game that Maryland should thrive in. Alex Len should be able to record a double-double in limited minutes and the freshmen should gain prime experience as ACC conference play inches closer.

The Teams: Monmouth Hawks (5-5) vs. Maryland Terrapins (8-1)

The Time: 8:00 PM

The Place: Comcast Center – College Park, Maryland

Television/Radio: ESPN3 (Internet) and ESPN 980/92.7 FM (Radio)

Monmouth Player to Watch: Andrew Nicholas

Nicholas is the straw that stirs the drink for the Hawks. The Wrightsville, Pa. native is Monmouth’s only double-digit scorer and has played very well throughout most of this season. Nicholas is averaging 14.6 ppg to go along with 4.0 rpg and 1.7 steals. The sophomore guard has scored in double figures in seven of the 10 contests. Nicholas has only scored over 20 points once, which came in a 28-point effort in a season-opening blowout win over Hofstra.

Maryland Terrapins Player to Watch: Seth Allen

With Mark Turgeon shuffling the starting lineup and giving the freshmen more minutes, Allen is a player to keep an eye on. The Woodbridge, Va. native hasn’t been lighting it up in the scoring column but has displayed strong point guard skills. Allen has dished out 13 assists in the Terrapins’ last two wins against Maryland-Eastern Shore and South Carolina State. The Fredericksburg Christian School product is currently enjoying a nice freshman campaign as he is averaging 6.3 ppg and 3.8 apg. It is very likely that Allen will earn a spot in the starting lineup as Turgeon recently said that Allen just had his best week of practice.

Underlying Storyline: Which freshman will have the strongest game?

With such a stellar freshmen class coming in for the 2012-2013 season, each of the Terrapins freshmen have shown flashes of supreme talent. One night Seth Allen looks primed to take the ACC by storm and on another, Charles Mitchell shows shades of Len Elmore and is a double-double machine. Despite a tough start, Shaq Cleare has played well as of late. In his last two games, Cleare is averaging 10 ppg to go along with 5.5 rpg in about 19 minutes-per-game. Jake Layman could also make an impact. The Massachusetts native has been receiving more playing time after only playing a mere three minutes against Northwestern on Nov. 27. Against Maryland- Eastern Shore last week, Layman had his best game of the season as he scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds in a blowout win for the Terrapins.

Prediction:

No matter who Maryland’s starting five consists of, the Terrapins will prove to be too much for Monmouth. Maryland will control the game from the very beginning in a 72-54 victory.

The Time: 2:00 PM EST

The Location: Comcast Center, College Park, Maryland.

TV, Radio: CSN Washington (TV), 980 AM

Scouting Report: The Maryland Terrapins look to extend their seven game win streak this afternoon as they take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs at the Comcast Center. For SC State, it has been somewhat of an up and down season. In their eight games played, five of them have been decided by ten points or less. That is to say, they’re essentially in most games they play. Unfortunately when they lose, they get blown out.

Leading the way for the Bulldogs are two sharp shooting guards in Khalif Toombs and Adama Adams, both of whom are shooting over 50% from three point range this season. Toombs is averaging 15 points a contest, but he may have some trouble with Maryland’s size as he only stands at an ambitious 5’9. Adams meanwhile is shooting just as well but is only slightly larger at 6’1. The two actually pass the ball around relatively well, as they average a combined 8 assists per game. The backcourt itself isn’t the issue, in spite of the small stature.

The issue is the front court. Matthew Hezekiah, a 6’11 junior, averages 12 points and 8 rebounds per game ( along with two blocks) and is actually a solid offensive threat. His problem is that there is no one else to help him out up front. Hezekiah is a very good all-around player, but he is going to have his troubles today with a Maryland front court that is one of the best in the nation.

How Maryland Can Win: Shoot lights out

The Terrapins hit 60% of their shots against Maryland Eastern Shore, and it put on display how dangerous this team can be. If they continue their hot shooting, this game could become a blowout in a similar fashion as their last game.
That being said, if they don’t shoot well, this game could very well come down to the wire, because if SC State can do one thing well, it’s shoot.

Prediction: Maryland wins, but it’s closer than everyone expects.

October 27, 2012; Boston, MA USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) runs with the ball during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE

The Teams: Georgia Tech (3-5) vs Maryland Terrapins (4-4)

The Site: Byrd Stadium. College Park, Maryland

The Time: 12:30 PM Kickoff

TV, Radio, Internet: ESPN3 (Internet), ESPN 980 (Radio)

The Coaches: Randy Edsall (6-14, second season at Maryland) and Paul Johnson (34-19, sixth season at GT)

The History: Georgia Tech has the advantage 14-6 all time against the Terrapins

Well the Caleb Rowe era ended almost as quickly as it began, and Maryland now finds itself in the unenviable position of having to head into this game against Georgia Tech without a quarterback. Or rather, they have a quarterback, but he wasn’t that the previous week, and so what was once a promising season now becomes one in which the Terrapins hopes hinge upon a linebacker who can kind of throw. Luckily for the Terrapins, the Yellow Jackets aren’t very good this year, and it’s more than likely that whoever takes snaps under center is going to be at least moderately successful.

Key Questions and Storylines

1.) The man of many hats, Shawn Petty

I won’t be the first ever to say that I am legitimately curious to see how a quarterback-turned-linebacker-turned-quarterback again will fare against a DI football school, even one as woeful as Georgia Tech. I wish I could tell you a whole lot about this kid, but the fact is that no one really can, which may end up being a good thing for the Terrapins. The element of surprise is an underrated one, and Shawn Petty is the Terrapins Trojan Horse, so to speak. Georgia Tech has likely been scouring over his YouTube highlight clips in the same manner that Maryland fans have, looking for his strengths and weaknesses.

From those, it is fairly obvious that Petty is far from a competent passer. In high school (he went to Suitland), he did throw, but let me tell you that even on those highlight reels that arm is cringe-worthy. If you thought Perry Hills had a bad motion, wait till you get a load of Franken-arm, because I assure you it’s going to make you gasp. Maryland may end up throwing around 10 times this game, so expect a very strange outcome indeed.

If the Terrapins run the option, similar to what Georgia Tech employs, fans are going to feel like they are in a time vortex and start wondering where the leather helmets are, because this is going to be old school football. Either way, I’m excited for what could very well be a competitive game simply because Georgia Tech, quite literally, has no clue what to expect.

2.) Will Georgia Tech run this city?

An even bigger question here is going to be whether or not the vaunted Maryland defense is capable of stopping the fourth best running team in the NCAA. Between Tevin Washington, Orwin Smith, and Zach Laskey, the Yellow Jackets have three backs who have combined for 1,347 yards on the ground and 19 touchdowns. The crazy part is, their backfield goes even deeper than that, as they have eight players who have had at least 20 carries this season. Think about that for a second, and consider how painfully annoying that is to game plan for.

Maryland will be facing it’s toughest ground test to date, and I fully expect them to have some problems at first. There are so many facets to the option offense, and it is difficult to grasp in one week. But, it can be stopped, as Georgia Tech was shut down big time by both Virginia Tech in the beginning of the season, then BYU last week. The Terrapins are going to be one of the better defenses the Yellow Jackets face all year, and that will hopefully deter them from gouging another team.

3.) Wes Brown Breakout Game

Of course it comes down to one thing: can Maryland score enough points to keep up with Georgia Tech? That begins with Wes Brown, honestly. The Terrapins are going to be running the ball a whole lot, and Wes Brown needs to be the catalyst behind that. Brown has been solid this season since taking over the starting job, but he is going to need to be even better this week. Ideally, he has to break off some very big runs consistently against Georgia Tech to keep the offense moving. Rather than be a ground and pound guy as he was against Boston College, he needs to be the absolute machine he was against North Carolina State, where he had 121 yards and averaged a shade under 5 yards a carry.

Big runs from Brown, and whoever else gets the ball, for that matter, will be paramount to Maryland being successful.

The Terrapins will win if:

A.) Wes Brown rushes for over 100 yards on the ground

or

B.) Stefon Diggs gets the ball 10 times

The Terrapins will lose if:

A.) The defense cannot stop Tevin Washington

or

B.) Shawn Petty cannot complete at least 50% of his passes

Terrapin Takes

• Tevin Washington is two touchdowns away from becoming the ACC’s all-time quarterback leader in rushing touchdowns.
• Maryland lost to Georgia Tech last year 21-16, but defeated them in 2007 28-26 at home
• Georgia Tech’s leading receiver, Jeff Greene, has 12 receptions on the year for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns

September 5, 2011; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins defensive back Clarence Claiborne (right) and running back Brandon Ross (left) celebrate with fans after beating the Miami Hurricanes 32-24 at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

The Teams: Maryland Terrapins (2-1) vs. West Virginia (2-0)

The Site: Milan Puskar Stadium. Morgantown, West Virginia

The Time: Saturday, 12 pm

TV, Radio, Internet: FX (TV), WTEM 980am and WJZ 105.7fm (Radio)

The Coaches: Randy Edsall (4-11 at Maryland) and Dana Holgorsen (12-3)

The History: A decades-long one that has seen West Virginia take the All-Time series lead 25-21-2 thanks to a six-game win streak.

Maryland is going to have its hands full stopping Air Geno and Co. tomorrow at Milan Puskar (an incredibly hostile environment). After suffering a loss to the coach Edsall’s former team, the Connecticut Huskies 24-21, the Terrapins may need some help from the Gods if they intend on taking down an even stronger opponent. Led by one of the best offenses in the nation, West Virginia has to be slowed down by the Terrapins defense in some manner or else the writing will already be on the wall.

Key Questions and Storylines

1.) Return of the Tate

News that Kenny Tate, Maryland’s once All-ACC linebacker/safety/do-it-all defender, is returning after injuring his knee in the preseason gave Terrapins fans a big boost heading into this game. Will he be the same guy who racked up sacks and interceptions in 2010 that put him in the discussion for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy? Or will he be a shade of his former self against West Virginia, who can only play every now and then in hopes of staying healthy? That’s the big question, because if he’s healthy and ready to rock, then this defense that is already incredibly good just got a whole lot better.

If Tate is healthy, Maryland has a fighting chance in this game, because he is that big of a game changer. He can get to the quarterback, line up at virtually every position, and get into Geno Smith’s head. He also has a decent history against West Virginia; in 2010, he returned an pick (off Jock Sanders) 53 yards for the Terrapins. Simply put, Kenny Tate being back is very big, because this will be the toughest defense the Mountaineers have faced all season long.

2.) Mike Locksley’s Play Calling

It’s no secret to anyone that the Terrapins offense is going through an identity crisis at the moment. At times they want to run a pro-style set, then other games they dive directly into single-formation spread offense. It’s probably hurting the development of the young Perry Hills more than it is helping, as he is being asked to do far too much on the offensive end. Will Locksley finally just run a more traditional West Coast ground-n-pound/short pass offense with the return of Brandon Ross? Or will the Terrapins continue pressing forward with that spread-offense which burns lots of clock but is highly predictable?

If Maryland can establish a run game and make Hills job a whole lot easier, then they are going to be in good shape. Clock management is absolutely crucial in this game, because keeping Geno Smith off the field means keeping points off the board. That’s basically the only way the Terrapins can win in all honesty; keeping the ball in their hands. It’s a cheap strategy, but it is a great strategy that works against high-octane offenses.

3.) Song Parody of the Week: Take it Home, Testudome (originally Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver)

Almost heaven, West Virginia?

Black lung coughing, polluted ‘Doah River?

Hard to read there, cause they ain’t go no books.

How’s that Heaven? Not as pretty as it looks.

(Chorus)

Terrapin!

Let me in,

to your shell!

WVU’s Hellllllllll

West Virginia, love your sistaaaa!

Testudo, take me home!

\

Geno Smith may, throw pretty damn well.

But he ain’t never, been against hell in a shell!

New formations, that’s all we really need,

Cause if WVU can’t read a book,

How could Geno read our D?

\

Terrapin,

let me in

to your shell!

WVU’s Hellllllll!

West Virginiaaaa, love your sistaaaa

Take me home, Testudo!

\

Stedman: a voice, in the morning hour she calls you.

It’s Oprah telling you, to get your ass back home.

Try to catch a ball you’ll get a feeling that you might

Get knocked into yesterdayyyyy, by Kenny Taaaaaaate.

(Refrain)

Terrapin,

let me in

to your shell!

WVU’s Hellllllll!

West Virginiaaaa, love your sistaaaa

Take me home, Testudo!

4.) Ross the Boss

Not only is Kenny Tate coming back on the defense, but the guy who won the starting running back job on offense returns as well in Brandon Ross. How good is he? Better yet, how healthy is he? While Wes Brown has won the starting job from Justus Pickett and Albert Reid, can Brandon Ross convince coach Edsall that he belongs as the starter? That won’t be a bad thing for the Terrapins if that’s the case, because it’s hard to get a whole lot better than Wes Brown has been. If those two can form a dynamic duo, then the Terps will have even more fire-power on an offense that desperately needs it.

I’m sure he’ll be rusty, and I’m certain that he may not see that many snaps, but in the few times that he does get them it is certain to be exciting. Brandon Ross is a strong runner and can help with clock management when healthy. Giving West Virginia a lot of different looks is huge, as their defense isn’t necessarily their strong point. In fact, they may not even be as good as Connecticut’s defense was.

Sep 08, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Perry Hills (11) hands off to running back Wes Brown (4) during the fourth quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. Maryland defeated Temple 36-27. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

The Teams: Maryland Terrapins (2-0) vs. Connecticut Huskies (1-1)

The Site: Byrd Stadium. College Park, Maryland

The Time: Saturday, 12:30 pm

TV, Radio, Internet: Fox 5, WJZ 13 (TV), ESPN3 (Internet), 105.7fm and 980am (Radio)

The Coaches: Randy Edsall (4-10 at Maryland) and Paul Pasqaloni (6-8 at Connecticut)

The History: There is really is none other than a lone game in 1942, which the Terrapins won.

Maryland put on an offensive display for the first time in this short season last week, when they threw up 30+ points against Temple University in their own house. They are going to be looking for another performance like that this week as they face the Connecticut Huskies; or rather, head coach Randy Edsall’s old jones/coaching job. Edsall built the Huskies into a respectable program from the ground up, but sort of up and left when the Terrapins offered him the gig. That didn’t sit well with people in the area or the players, whom he made no contact with upon departure, and so this game may have a bit of malevolence to it.

Of course, that’s just the fun aspect of things, because these teams still have to play football well to win. As it turns out, they are both very similar teams that are going to go blow-for-blow with one another. With both teams turning the ball over at staggering rates this season, it’s very hard to say how this game is going to end up. But both defenses are fantastic, so the game will likely be won on a deciding drive.

Key Questions and Storylines:

1.) Can Perry Hills handle the pressure?

While Perry Hills is improving from his lackluster debut against William & Mary, he is going to be facing a senior laden defense that won’t be as easy as Temple. The Huskies have Trevardo Williams, and he is going to be out for blood against his former coaches quarterback. Hills will get sacked this game in all likelihood, and even if he doesn’t there will be consistent pressure on him. That means he has to make smart, quick decisions, or turnovers will happen a whole lot. Williams will be in his face all game, and one can only hope Hills is prepped for it.

I expect him to struggle, but Locksley did a good job last game of not putting too much on Hills plate, and he thrived. If Locksley can continue to be creative with the play calling, then Perry will be just fine. That means quick throws on slant routes, screens, and lots of run game. Speaking of run game…

2.) Lyle McCombs and his big game meter.

McCombs rushed for 1,151 yards last season and had six 100+ yard rushing games to boot (including a 152 yard outing against Syracuse). He rushed three times for 60 yards or more as well, and is prone to big plays. This season he has yet to break the 100 yard barrier, and it’s really only a matter of time until he accomplishes that. Will Maryland be his first victim? It’s hard to say, but the Terrapins have been darn good at stopping the run so far this season. Plus, against similarly sized backs (McCombs is 5’8, 166 lbs.) they have absolutely stuffed them up. That’s good news, but McCombs is also a bit of a power back who gets the ball on essentially every down. He averages around 20-30 carries a game, and that will give him plenty of opportunity to do his worst against the Terrapins.

He hasn’t gotten that many carries this season, but expect that to change fully this week. It will be key for Maryland to get up early on Connecticut so they can minimize his effectiveness and keep the ball out of his hands.

3.) Now You’re Just A Football Coach I Used To Know (a song going to the theme of “Somebody that I used to know” by Gotye)

Now and then I think of when we were together….

Like when I said I’d never leave you unless pigs could fly

Told you all that we were family

Never thought that I would up and flee

But when I bailed for Maryland that changed forever

I had you addicted to a certain kind of success…

Bowl games at season’s end, always a bowl

We could never make it to the Chik-Fil-A

And so I couldn’t see another way

But to run away and live underneath the Terp Shell

(UConn players sing the refrain)

“But you could have told us you would leave

make off like we never happened and that we were nothing!

The Terps aren’t even out our league

but you treat us like we’re D II and that feels so rough.

You should have told your recruits, though.

Not have your staff collect your trophies and then change your zip code.

We don’t even need you, yo.

Now you’re just a football coach we used to know!”

A head coach! A head coach!

——–

4.) Will the running backs fumble?

Wes Brown, Justus Pickett, and Albert Reid all have at least one fumble, which makes running the ball that much trickier. These three are supposed to be the guys who ensure that Perry Hills doesn’t have to do too much, but instead they are doing the exact opposite of that with their turnovers. The onus is on them to cut it out and run strong yet not fumble. Against a tough defensive front like Connecticut, that won’t be as easy, and Pickett and the Butterfingers are going to really need to hold onto those rocks if Maryland is to have a modicum of success.

Take Note of These Notes

• Randy Edsall was 74-70 with the Connecticut Huskies, making it to five bowl games including one BCS (2010 Fiesta)
• In the 2010 Papa John’s Bowl against the South Carolina Gamecocks, Edsall beat two-time National Champion head coach Steve Spurrier.
• Connecticut head coach Paul Pasqualoni was a linebacker at Penn State and was an assistant coach with both the Dolphins and the Cowboys.

September 24, 2011; College Park, MD, USA; Temple Owls running back Bernard Pierce (30) outruns Maryland Terrapins safety Matt Robinson (40) for his fourth touchdown of the first half at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-US PRESSWIRE

The Teams: Maryland Terrapins (1-0) v. Temple Owls (1-0)

The Site: Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Time: 12 pm EST

TV, Radio, Internet: ESPNU, WTEM (980 AM)/WJZ (105.7 FM)

The Coaches: Randy Edsall (3-10 career at Maryland), Steve Addazio (10-4 career at Temple)

The History: Maryland has only lost once out of seven tries against the Owls, with the latest being a 38-7 stinker in College Park, Md.

After a less-than-stellar 7-6 opening win against the William & Mary Tribe, the Terrapins set their sails toward Philaelphia, Pennsylvania in hopes of exacting a bit of revenge on the Temple Owls. Last year, the Owls came into the Byrd House an trashed the Terrapins (pause as it dawns on me that Owls won in Byrd Stadium) 38-7 in a game that coach Edsall would like to forget. The Owls no longer have Bernard Pierce, the guy who rushed for a yard shy of 150 yards and 5 touchdowns against Maryland, but that does not make them any less potent as a running team. Last week, they racked up 41 points against Villanova, and look to maintain that momentum.

Meanwhile in Terrapin town, true freshman quarterback Perry Hills struggled to put seven points on the board against an FCS opponent. Four turnovers (three alone were committed by Hills)  doomed the offense and killed drive after drive in Tribe territory. The passing game was so bad that the running game suffered as well, until of course Justus Pickett carried the ball into the end zone on a late fourth quarter run. Maryland wants this win, but they may have to overachieve a bit to get it given their low expectations.

Key Questions and Storylines

1.) Revenge, thy name is Testudo!

Is revenge not the best motivator in all of sports? If that’s the case, then the Terrapins might have a bit of an edge despite this game being in Philadelphia. That home stinker against a team the Terrapins were previously undefeated against left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth last year, and I don’t think that defense has forgotten one bit. Seniors Demetrius Hartsfield and Joe Vellano certainly haven’t, and I fully expect them to come out strong and stuff any running game that Temple will try to establish. They gave up five touchdowns on the ground last year, and face yet another Temple team that is going to try and attempt the same thing. Hartsfield and Vellano will have to lay the hurt on a 5’5 160lb tailback in Temple’s Matt Brown in order for Maryland to make this game close.

While Randy Edsall may not be the best motivator, he is familiar with Big East foes and will have his Terrapins very prepared for this game. I know, the same could be said for last year, but I think this time the Owls will not be sneaking up on a Maryland team still reeling from a close loss against West Virginia.

2.) Where has all the offense gone? (A ballad that goes to the song “Where have all the Cowboys Gone” by Paula Cole)

Do Do Do, Do Do Do, Do Do Do, Do Do Do

Oh I hope you’re ready, cause that 7-6 baby?

It might mean that you will get filleted.

The three turnovers last week, almost made us dead meat.

If passing were a job, you wouldn’t get paid!

We could do more scoring, without picks, Mr. Hills…

Where are my touchdowns?

How ’bout short completions?

Where is that run-ning game?

Where has all the offense goone?

Do Do Do, Do Do Do, Do Do Do, Do Do Do

Why don’t we just stop throwing?

And get the run game going?

Villanova rushed for 212 last week.

Pickett is a weapon,

Wes Brown is a threat and,

Albert Reid may be, so to speak.

Please no more bubble screens, to get Stefon Diggs killed….

Where is my play action?

Where is the option run?

Why can’t we move the football?

Where has all the offense gone??????

Do do do, do do do, do do do, do do do

(That’s all I’ll give for now…I think we get the point)

3.) Can Maryland stop Temple’s running game?

The Terrapin defense is going to have its hands full with this Temple offense. They routed Villanova last week despite completing only five passes. I expect them to throw more, but it’s tough to argue that their running game is where they bring home the bacon. Quarterback Chris Coyer rushed for 80 yards last week, and is a surprisingly strong guy with some decent straight ahead speed. He can outrun linebackers, and forcing him to pass needs to be a top priority for the Terps. I personally don’t have a lot of faith in his ability to pass, but the Temple coaching staff will have an interesting game plan in trying to mask that.

In the backfield the Owls have Matt Brown, a small but speedy player who can make defenders miss a lot. The defensive line needs to make contact with him early because he has breakaway speed, but lacks the weight to withstand a pounding. He isn’t an up-the-gut runner, so containing his long runs around the edge has to happen for Maryland to stifle their offense. They will be without senior Montel Harris again, it looks like, which is a good thing since he has a history of abusing Maryland defenses.

A few numbers

• Temple lost the yardage game against Villanova last week 365-362, but got helped by two forced turnovers.
• Randy Edsall is 3-3 against Temple since Connecticut turned D1 and from his time at Maryland.
• Maryland gets back Keith Bowers and Isaiah Ross on the defensive line, which should add some much needed depth
• Lincoln Financial Field seats a little over 68K