Season becomes freshman proving ground

The Fridge has never been in a situation like this. At 2-5, the Terps are one loss away from being eliminated from bowl contention. According to this Post story, players have told the Fridge that the growing sentiment in the clubhouse is that there is nothing left to play for. The head ball coach also said he wants to give Jamarr Robinson a look. I just hope they don't burn Danny O'Brien's redshirt.

Could we see more of Jamarr Robinson? Or even Danny O'Brien?

"We need to make plans for the future."

That is what the Fridge told the Sun Monday. While this may be a good idea for the future, I can't help but feel bad for Turner. The kid has played hard and taken a lot of hits. Sure, his deep throws flutter a bit and he's hardly the sharpest possession passer either. But there are several people/positions that are more to blame for this team's 2-4 start.

Then again, we all know the quarterback position will be the primary concern of next year's team. Any experience we can give Robinson and/or O'Brien this year could go a long way.

And it gives me a reason to watch Saturday at Duke. This team sure needs some more intrigue.

Milbourne may still play '4'

Landon Milbourne played up a position all last season, guarding power forwards who were often 30, 40 pounds heavier than him.

Bringing in Jordan Williams and James Padgett will likely allow Milbourne to move back to the '3'. ... eventually.

Coach Williams intimated to the Sun that Milbourne will play the lion's share at 4 until Williams and Padgett emerge. That would further suggest a 3-guard starting lineup with Adrian Bowie, Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes in the backcourt.

Hartfield may have surgery, Campbell may play, Friedgen may be delusional

In a Sun story, Friedgen said he was optimistic going forward. My thinking is, just b/c we're technically in the thick of the Atlantic race, doesn't change the fact that this may be the worst Terp team this century.

Fridge said he was "proud" of this team for their hard work ethic, etc. etc. And I'm sure they've been working hard, blah blah blah. But the fact is, this team has made an alarming number of mental mistakes so far. It seems that the Fridge may be trying inspire confidence in his team, and in his fading fanbase, by singing the team's praises.

The return of LT Bruce Campbell would provide a huge boost. His status for Saturday is TBD.

Didn't realize this...

The Post's Eric Prisbell pointed out that, at one point Saturday, the Terps' d-line consisted of four freshmen: true freshman Isaiah Ross, redshirt freshman A.J. Francis, true freshman Zach Kerr and redshirt freshman Carl Russell.

I'm not sure how long they were out there together. But whoever was out there in the trenches did a great job stifling C.J. Spiller.

The Post's MD-Wake Preview

Through the grapevine

LT Bruce Campbell will not make the trip to Wake this weekend. Freshmen Pete DeSouza and Nick Klemm will fill in at this supremely important position. Fortunately, the Terps are facing a Wake pass rush that has produced only six sacks through five games. Six!

Also through the grapevine: expect one or both of the true freshmen running backs -- D.J. Adams and Caleb Porzel -- to play Saturday.

Terps basketball dodges a bullet

Jordan Williams' misdermeanor assault case was dismissed. Here's the Sun story.

The Post's rundown of the woeful Atlantic Division

In case you haven't checked the standings lately, Maryland sits atop the mediocre Atlantic division with a 1-0 record. The favorites, Clemson and FSU, each have two losses.

Here's the Post story about the various flaws that each Atlantic team possesses.

Campbell may play after all

Encouraging news today: The Fridge said today that LT Bruce Campbell may play Saturday at Wake. This comes a day after the Fridge told the media that Campbell's MCL injury would keep him out of Saturday's game.

If Campbell can't go, true freshmen Pete DeSouza and Nick Klemm may platoon in his stead.

Here's the Post's blog entry.

Good/bad news on the injury front

Here's the good: Da'Rel Scott's broken forearm may not keep him out the entire season. According to this Post story, Scott may be back by Nov. 21 for the FSU game. Meanwhile, Davin Meggett will carry the load with freshmen Gary Douglas and D.J. Adams spelling him for a few drives. Scott will undergo surgery this week and will have a plate inserted into his arm.

Here's the bad: Bruce Campbell will not play Saturday against Wake after suffering an MCL injury against Clemson. Most would agree that Campbell is a more important player to this team than Scott, in large part b/c the offensive line is already so thin.

Both will be examined today/tomorrow. A long-term prognosis will likely be determined soon.

ACC Atlantic: A New Hope

"Well I guess there's only one thing left to do. Win the whole fuckin' thing."

Maryland's predicament, posting only one win in the non-conference, reminds me of that famous Major League line. For those who haven't seen the 80's classic, the hapless Cleveland Indians are faced with an improbable mission: win the pennant to keep their team from relocating.

With a 1-3 record entering the conference, the Terps are in a situation where they need to win 5 games just to be bowl eligible. And let's say they finish 6-6. With one of those wins coming against JMU in OT, would they even get a bowl bid?

So the only goal at this point: "Win the whole fuckin' thing."

That thing is the perennially irrelevent Atlantic Division. Hardly suited for a Hollywood script. But a string of wins could go a long way to reigniting the Terps fan base.

And in case you didn't notice, the Atlantic is -- yet again -- wide open.

The Terps looked pretty good today. Some say they "shocked" Clemson. I think they played soundly on defense and did barely enough on offense to beat a middle-of-the-road ACC team. Nevertheless, still a good win.