Tech Loses a Heartbreaker to Maryland

Prediction time and I see no reason to change my tack that has been working for a little while.

Terps 24, Tech 21

Good effort, but not enough offense to put us over the top. Also too many turnovers due to Jackets looking ahead to the matchup with Duke (that was a joke).

Here are the challenges that I see with Maryland:

1) They mix it up well with equally good running and passing games. The Jackets can't key off the run like they did against Cadillac earlier this year.

2) McBrien is WAY underrated with 1200+ yards passing so far this season. They also have game with a decent receiving corps as well.

3) Friedgen eats solid defenses alive...literally. This guy's pregame meal will be held at the Varsity this Thursday...that's right, the whole restaurant will be closed from 5 p.m. on to accommodate the sizeable appetite of big Ralph. That kitchen is only so big.

The light at the end of the tunnel: Maryland hasn't won a close game this year, losing to NIU early. All the remaining wins have been over by the third quarter, so if we keep it tight it'll be interesting to see what the pressure does to them. Obviously, the Jackets have had to deal with tight-game pressure and have responded well at times, but the Terps are untested there.