All I Want for Christmas :: Maryland Terrapins Mix
By Cory Forsyth
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
1. A Maryland Football Bowl Victory
A victory for the Terps in the 2013 Military Bowl would be the perfect gift for players, coaches, and fans.
In 2010 under head coach Ralph Friedgen, the Maryland Terrapins went 9-4 including a Military Bowl victory which helped the Terps finish the year ranked 23rd in the AP poll. Despite being named the ACC Coach of the Year and winning a bowl game, the University bought out the last year of Friedgen’s contract and looked to move the program in a different direction.
The different direction would be led by head coach Randy Edsall and “Maryland Pride” has been the war cry since he took over.
Yet, the Edsall era of Maryland football has only been characterized by losing. Maryland fans have had nothing to be proud of since 2010, until this season.
Maryland started the 2013 season 4-0 and despite losing key play-makers Stephon Diggs and Deon Long, the Terps managed to secure a winning season by defeating North Carolina State in their last ACC home game.
The Terps now find themselves back at the Military Bowl playing in their state capital.
In front of their home state, the Terps have an opportunity to forget the past two years and set the stage for the years to come.
This team can win back fans, bring a winning culture back to Maryland football, and set the stage for finally giving Maryland fans something to be proud of.
The game won’t be easy, as the Terps will face the high-powered offense of the Marshall Thundering Herd. But, it will give this team an opportunity to redeem the past two losing seasons and give some hope heading into the Big Ten in 2014.