What did Maryland's blowout victory against Howard teach Terrapins fans Sept. 3? A whole lot and a lot of nothing.
Beating hapless Howard 52-13 wasn't surprising. The Terps were 48-point favorites in their first game against a crosstown team since 1955. Howard was 1-10 last year, so it's hard to gauge what gaining 315 yards rushing and 519 total yards really means against such a large underdog.
But Maryland needs all the happy moments it can muster after the disappointing Randy Edsall era and several poor years at predecessor Ralph Friedgen's end. Indeed, Maryland hasn't been in the national discussion since 2003. Friedgen opened with 31 wins and three bowl appearances during his first three seasons, then was largely mediocre.