It's time for our weekly break down of the key match-ups. It's always tough to get a feel for how things will stack up in a season-opener, but this year is more difficult than most with so many questions hovering over the Maryland program. Will the Terps rally around suspended head coach D.J. Derkin, or will they collapse? Who will start at QB for Maryland, and how will Maryland attack Texas?
MARYLAND PASS OFFENSE VS TEXAS PASS DEFENSE
Maryland still hasn’t named a starting quarterback, but people who cover the program expect Kasim Hill to get the nod over Tyrrelle Pigrome. Both players were very successful against Texas last year. It’s pretty much going to be an entirely new offensive system for Maryland this year. Last year it was spread read, this year you’re likely to see a lot more pre-snap motion and a lot of two tight end sets. People close to the Maryland program are expecting the offense to be more run heavy, but with Hill healthy and likely to be the starter they’ll certainly use his arm in spots - he’s a big kid (6-2, 234), has good arm strength, can make every throw asked of him. Expect Maryland to find ways to get the tight ends into the mix this year after they were completely abandoned last year. Freshman Chigoziem Okonkwo is going to Play H-back, and he should play a role in the offense. Taivon Jacobs is a burner on the outside while DJ Turner will probably be the main guy in the slot.
Edge – Texas *
MARYLAND RUN OFFENSE VS TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
As far as the running backs themselves, that posiition is definitely the Terps’ best and deepest unit. Ty Johnson is a senior and leader of the group. He rushed for 875 yards a year ago and torched Texas for 132 yards and a score. Lorenzo Harrison, a junior who is coming off a 622-yard season, is also returning. Harrison basically split carries with Johnson last year but had a bit of a down season compared to Johnson, who averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Tayon Fleet-Davis is a big, bruising back. He redshirted last year but is expected to be a big addition in 2018 when Maryland wants to go smash-mouth and pound the ball between the tackles. Redshirt freshman Anthony McFarland was recruited. He has looked really good in spring and fall camps and people who cover the program feel he has tremendous upside.
Edge – Maryland **
MARYLAND OFFENSIVE LINE VS TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
Maryland features a very experienced group up front. All five of last year’s main starters return. That said, Maryland did shake things up some this week with a couple last-minute depth chart moves. Brendan Moore, a two-year starter at center, is now at guard. Sophomore Johnny Jordan is now starting at center. Terrence Davis, a guy who was entrenched at right guard, has been hindered in camp with a nagging injury, which could be why he’s no-longer listed as a starter. The tackles are set on the left and right sides, and Maryland has added some depth this year too. If anyone struggles, keep an eye out for Marcus Minor, who was described as the program’s right tackle of the future, although the coaches can plug him in and play at guard if necessary.
Edge – Maryland *
MARYLAND PASS DEFENSE VS TEXAS PASS OFFENSE
The Terps’ defensive backfield is expected to be solid this year. Maryland returns both safeties in Darnell Savage Jr. and Antwaine Richardson. Tino Ellis and RaVon Davis will probably split reps on one side of the field at cornerback, while Marcus Lewis is going to start on the other side. Lewis is a redshirt junior who transferred in from Florida State.
Edge – Texas *
MARYLAND RUN DEFENSE VS TEXAS RUN OFFENSE
As far as the linebackers are concerned, this group has struggled and it doesn’t have a lot of depth. Illinois transfer Tre Watson leads that group, started for the Illini last year. Isaiah Davis, a junior who is a new starter, is the younger brother of Pittsburgh Steeler Sean Davis. Texas will have to look out for NICKEL/LB/S Antoine Brooks Jr. When he’s in the box, he flies to the ball and has a nose for sniffing out plays. Brooks can also cover well out of the backfield. There’s some thought that he might be the best player on the defense.
Edge – Texas ***
MARYLAND DEFENSIVE LINE VS TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE
The big name on Maryland’s defensive line is Byron Cowart, who was ranked No. 1 on the Rivals100 back in 2015. Cowart had a disappointing career at Auburn, but has resurfaced at Maryland in the spring and has really stood out. People who cover the program have said he has a great motor and while he’s a bit undersized, he’s given tremendous effort and has a lot of explosiveness. If he can get it together mentally and stay focused, he can have a big impact. Mbi Tanyi, from Houston, is pretty much entrenched at defensive tackle. Jesse Aniebonam, at rush end (BUCK), was really good against Texas last year but blew out his knee.
Edge – Texas **
MARYLAND SPECIAL TEAMS VS TEXAS SPECIAL TEAMS
Maryland’s a bit like Texas here, aside from the Terps having experience at punter. Wade Lees, a junior from Australia, can really boot it. The kicking game is still up in the air. Freshman Joseph Petrino has a big leg, but nobody knows how he’ll perform until the lights come on.
Edge – Maryland *
