Eastern Michigan Preview

Maryland takes on Eastern Michigan at 1:00 P.M. tomorrow at Byrd Stadium in what could be an extremely good barometer of what we can expect from the Terps for the rest of the season. 

Fridge has said that there has been great focus in practice this week, which should bode well for the Terps. Maryland is preparing to deal with Eastern Michigan's rugby-style punting by putting freshman Kenny Tate in to return punts.  Fridge is hoping that the wide receiver-turned safety can use his good hands to help compensate for Eastern Michigan's unusual punting style.

Maryland has also been preparing for Eastern Michigan's "radar" defense according to Eric Prisbell over at the Washington Post. The defensive scheme involves a lot of players moving around on 3rd down to try to disrupt passing plays and reads. Hopefully Maryland will be prepared. 

Maryland's defense is also preparing for Eastern Michigan's no-huddle offense, which Middle Tennessee State gave Maryland such a hard time with 2 weeks ago. I think the Terps will be fine. 

It's good to see that the Terps want to make this a statement game, basically tell Clemson to watch out. Chris Turner this week was quoted as saying "We want to murder Eastern Michigan." I probably would have used a more appropriate phrase like "destroy, soundly defeat or beat down rather than murder, but it's good to see the Terps fire for a lesser opponent. 

According to the Terps injury report, RB Da'Rel Scott is questionable, so I don't think he'll play. Hopefully this will allow him to rest and be ready to go against Clemson.

Again, I'm not giving an exact prediction, but I think the winner will win by at least 24 points.