Guest Blogger: Turtle Waxing

Esquire from Turtle Waxing has posted in this space many times. This year he returns at a crucial time for both of our seasons. BC is trying to bounce back and the Terps are trying to end their recent slide. To get more information on what's going on in College Park, I asked him a few question. His answer's belwow.

Maryland had been running the ball pretty well until UNC. Are the injuries on the offensive line taking their toll?

Esquire from TW: Ralph Friedgen would like this team to be a power running offense but the offensive line and running backs are not built for that. Certainly the losses of Andrew Crummey and Jamie Thomas, the two starting guards, have hurt the offense. Maryland has topped 100 yards rushing in only one of the last four games. As usual RB Keon Lattimore has worn down as the season progressed and Lance Ball, who is a better power back anyway, has gotten more carries. Even accounting for sack yardage it is hard to consider this team a great running offense when they can't average over four yards a carry. I've seen way too many 3-1 and short yardage plays where this group got stuffed even before those injuries to consider this a good running team. Friedgen has gotten ultra conservative in his playcalling and keeps trying to run the ball, limit chances for turnovers and control the clock. Without a defense that can force an offense to punt it clearly hasn't been a successful formula. The injuries have limited his options but now that the season is pretty much down the drain he may opt to open things up.

Turner made for a good story early in the year. His numbers are pedestrian. Now that Steffy is available, how will Fridge use his QBs this weekend?

Esquire from TW: Turner has not been great but he is able to get the ball down field, unlike Steffy. The receiver corps is a good bunch but you wouldn't know it from how they've been used this year. Steffy is a dink-and-dunk quarterback at this point. Injuries have really limited his athletic ability and he isn't much more mobile than Turner at this point. He has a serious concussion problem. Friedgen is very reluctant to put him in there with a shaky offensive line because one more concussion and his career could be in jeopardy. I would be surprised to see him against BC unless Turner has a dreadful interception laced performance. Steffy was sacked 17 times in only 4 1/2 games and the line overall has surrendered 28 sacks. It is too risky to possibly end the junior's career with another concussion.

The defense is giving up chunks of yardage. What are the main problems?
Esquire from TW: If you read all the newspapers tackling seems to be the main culprit. It would be generous to call the defensive line mediocre. They have little ability to pressure the quarterback and don't get much up the field penetration. DC Chris Cosh seems to have them in more of a read and react mode, allowing the linebackers to make plays at the line of scrimmage. Unfortunately with the exception of Erin Henderson the other backers are not in positions to make those tackles very often. The mediocre line is allowing blockers to get to the second level and seal off the linebackers in pursuit. With a secondary that isn't very physical or aggressive in run support they are not going to come up and plug holes well. If you can get to the second level against this group you've got a great chance for a big gain. Opposing offenses have made halftime adjustments that have just killed Maryland in the second half. Cosh has been unable to counter in most situations. Sounds like a myriad of problems, no? The only real strength of this defense is the linebackers. They are fast and very athletic. They can play well in coverage too. The corners can be exploited in man coverage with short routes as they often play well off the receivers. As you can see they have a slew of problems.

What is your prediction for Saturday?

Esquire from TW: I picked BC to win the ACC this season back in August. I still see that as the likely result. The Eagles will probably be ticked off at giving away a game against an inferior team last week and should come to Maryland with a nasty attitude. Matt Ryan will have all kinds of time to find receivers and should have a big game. Maryland offense seems totally impotent the last two games and I can't see them scoring enough to stay with the Eagles. I'd say BC should win by 17 or more. If I had to give a score: Boston College 34, Maryland 13.

For more on Maryland go to Turle Waxing.