Maryland football starts its 2017 campaign on Saturday, which means we’re five days away from the first live action of the season. That means it’s officially game week.

I’m sorry. Maybe that wasn’t clear enough.

IT’S. FOOTBALL. SEASON.

Maryland last played on Dec. 26, 2016, which is entirely too long ago. But now, the wait is almost over and oh baby am I excited. Here’s why:

• It’s Year 2 of the DJ Durkin era, which means the Terps will likely have improved significantly since last season.
• Coming off the highest-rated recruiting class in program history, there are tons of talented new faces on the roster. Add that to a team that played 16 true freshman last season and a culture change seems unavoidable.
• Several of those new faces are at key positions. Maryland’s highest-rated commit, running back Anthony McFarland, joins an already loaded backfield with Ty Johnson and Lorenzo Harrison leading the way. He’s versatile enough to play in the slot too. Kasim Hill is the highest-rated quarterback to sign with Maryland in quite some time. He may not start Week 1, but we’ll see plenty of him this season. He’s the future, and the future is now. There are six other four-star freshmen and a handful of talented three-star rookies who could see the field at some point this season.
• Maryland plays Texas on national television right off the bat. Regardless of the outcome, playing a storied, nationally relevant football program for all of America to see on opening weekend is a positive. Now imagine if Maryland beats a ranked team on the road for the first time in almost a decade. It may seem unlikely at first glance, but that’s why they play the games.
• Maryland’s Twitter account has been releasing videos like this from camp fairly frequently this summer.

Basically, I’m ready to run through a wall.

What are you most excited to see this season? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

In other news

Maryland basketball made Class of 2018 five-star point guard Andrew Nembhard’s final nine.

BTN is running its first episode of a feature on Maryland defensive end Melvin Keihn today at noon. Here’s a quick sneak peak:

Maryland men’s soccer plays Hofstra tonight in its home opener. Joe has you covered with what you need to know heading into that game.

Maryland field hockey scored two second-half goals Sunday afternoon to keep Maryland athletics undefeated this school year.

Steve Aird’s volleyball squad went 3-0 over the weekend, eking out wins over UMBC, Northeastern and Temple.

In case you missed it heading into the weekend, DJ Durkin told reporters he’d be naming a starting quarterback at some point today. Also, defensive backs Markquese Bell and Alex Woods are suspended to start the season.

Former Terp Dexter McDougle was traded to the Eagles Sunday morning. He’ll be reunited with Torrey Smith yet again. The two will now have played high school, college and professional football together.