Merry Christmas, one and all! (Or Happy Hannukah. Or Season's Greetings. Or whatever.)

1. Maryland Picks Up VA DB Committ >> Recruiting Report

Maryland went into Virginia for its most recent verbal commitment.

Falmouth, Va., defensive back Dexter McDougle, 5 feet 11, 180 pounds, pledged to the Terps on Saturday, according to Rivals.com.

Toldja.

2. How Dean Muhtadi Saved  the Cal Game >> Washington Times

For the moment, Muhtadi was as quiet as everyone else, his headphones snugly delivering one of his preferred intense tunes. As the song grew louder, Muhtadi became more agitated. Finally, the defensive lineman began screaming, pounding his locker - anything to generate an inkling of excitement an hour before a game against a ranked team.

"I don't know if it was because of the loss to Middle Tennessee or if guys didn't believe we could win that game," Muhtadi said of the moments before the Terps' 35-27 upset of the Golden Bears. "I didn't like what I was seeing, and I had my headphones on, and I was all amped and ready to go and just went crazy."

Maybe I'm weird, but I don't think I would've joined him. I think I would've reported him for psychiatric testing. I mean, he's just standing there screaming.

3. Caleb Porzel Wins Crab Bowl MVP >> Terp Center

What people aren’t so familiar with is Porzel’s power.  Sure, he doesn’t look like a between-the-tackles back and his game is built around speed, but today the future Maryland running back put in a workman-like effort.  He rushed 15 times for 56 yards--many coming up the middle--and scored three times to lead the Washington, D.C., team to a 32-21 win in the inaugural Maryland Crab Bowl.

Power? He's like 5-8, 180. He either has the strongest strength index in the world or this is an exaggeration. And I still can't wait for him to suit up for Maryland.

4. How to Handle a Blowout (The Good Kind) >> Terrapins Insider

Heck, American just lost by double-digits to George Washington, so perhaps Maryland will find themselves in such a situation as soon as Monday night.

Point being, it's hard for individual players, much less an entire team, to maintain focus for a full 40 minutes when the opponent is so clearly inferior its almost laughable.

To be honest, I don't think Maryland will ever have this problem, unfortunately.

5. Impressions on the Year >> Tracking the Terps

On the offense: There's no doubt that Maryland scared rival defensive coordinators with its veteran offensive line and the speed of receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and running back Da'Rel Scott.

It's a shame we never used him them (DHB, that is).