Five things Maryland Terrapins fans should be thankful for

Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of Big Ten logo on field prior to a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Indiana Hoosiers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3 Being a Big Ten member

When talk began that Maryland might leave the ACC after being a member since 1953, many Terp fans found it unsettling. Maryland had long-established rivalries with the likes of Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia. That type of nostalgia had Maryland fans feeling unready for a move like that. However, this has proved to be a great move for the school.

From a basketball perspective, the Big Ten is one of the deepest leagues in the country. While the ACC was widely labeled as the top hoops conference, the Big Ten may be even more talented from top to bottom. Both conferences have four teams in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll. From a football perspective, the differences are much more vast. The Big Ten has two national title contenders in Iowa, Michigan State, and Ohio State. Then there’s teams like Michigan, Northwestern, and Penn State that have had long traditions of winning and excellence. While Maryland’s football program has a long way to go, they’re a member of a much deeper conference and that can be used as a recruiting pitch to potential commits.