Our “most important game” series continues today with Maryland. If you’re just joining us, you must be Louisville …
Maryland
Most important game: Nov. 30 at NC State
Why it’s important: This could be Maryland’s last game as a founding member of the ACC. (That’s assuming, of course, that the Terps aren’t playing in the ACC championship game.) It will be historic, as the Terps, a member of the ACC since 1953, will join the Big Ten in 2014 and be replaced that year by Louisville. Coincidentally, former Maryland athletic director Debbie Yow is now the AD at NC State, so it will be interesting to hear what kind of emotions are surrounding that game, both on the field and off of it. What kind of statement will the Terps make in their final regular-season league game? How will they be received in one of the ACC’s most raucous stadiums?
While few expect Maryland to be a true contender in the Atlantic Division, this game will still have meaning to the standings, and there is still a very good possibility that Maryland’s bowl eligibility will come down to the final game of the season. Maryland should pick up at least two nonconference wins, and has legitimate chances to beat Virginia, Wake Forest, Syracuse and BC. A road trip to Virginia Tech will be tough, as will a trip to FSU. If the Terps are going to get back to the postseason, they’re going to have to steal a few wins on the road. Regardless of what’s at stake in the standings or the postseason, though, the storyline will be Maryland’s final farewell to the ACC.
For more in this series, click here.