Outlook: The Terps could be awesome this season. For the first time in his three years at Maryland, Friedgen has a quarterback (Scott McBrien) and tailback (2001 ACC offensive player of the year Bruce Perry) with a full season as a starter under their belt. That's problematic for opposing defenses who have not been able to stop the Terps even when Maryland had new faces learning both positions. All-American LB E.J. Henderson and P Brooks Barnard are gone, but almost everyone else is back. No, Maryland has not been a fluke.

Key game: The Terps have lost just five times the past two seasons, but two have come to Florida State -- by an average margin of 24 points. Maryland could get some revenge, and take a huge step toward a second ACC title in three seasons, on Sept. 6 when they travel to Tallahassee, Fla.

Keep an eye on: Perry missed most of last season with a variety of ailments. The 5-foot-9 speed back has gained 15 pounds of muscle to 205, which should help him better absorb the pounding. If he's simply as good as he was as a sophomore in 2001 (1,242 rushing yards), the Terps would take that.

It's a good year if. . .: Maryland has the talent to win the ACC and play well in a BCS game -- which means Maryland has the talent to challenge for the national championship. With a non-conference game that features West Virginia as their toughest test, the Terps might just get there.

Gregg Doyel covers the ACC for the Charlotte Observer.