Turtledroppings.com – Maryland Football And Basketball Blog

Yesterday I recapped the first half of my list of most anticipated Maryland Football games in 2011.  As soon as I saw our schedule, I knew we were going to have an exciting year, but when our game against Georgia Tech came in 10th on my list, it really hit home how awesome this schedule really is. 

So picking up where I left off…

Coming in at 6th on the list is the November 5, 2011 game against Virginia.  I am still torn about putting this game in front of the NC State game, but I keep going back to one thing in my mind.  It’s a cool crisp November day and there is a table of UVA Tailgaters in our parking lot drinking white wine and eating cheese and crackers.  I don’t want to see them leave happy.  So UVA gets the nod over NC State simply because I want this imaginary family to be drowning their sorrows and not toasting UVA success on Maryland soil.

Holy Cow this is getting hard.

Coming in 5th in the October 22, 2011 game at Florida State.  We start each year with one goal in mind, to win the Atlantic Division and make it to the Conference Championship.  That goal runs directly through FSU, and this year we will be in Tallahassee.  Can any one hear the Seminole War chant and not get a sick feeling in their stomach?  It is a huge game and comes early enough in the season for it to not be an important match up.  The only strike against this one is that I”ll be watching it on TV and not in Byrd.

At number 4 is the November 12, 2011 game against Notre Dame in Landover Maryland.  Though technically a road game, this is virtually a home game in that most Maryland fans will be in attendance.  Notre Dame, much like FSU is one of those polarizing teams.  You either love them or hate them.  You don’t have to quess what side of the fence I’m on in that argument.  In fact, outside of the ACC, there is probably no team that I get more satisfaction out of seeing lose than the Fighting Irish.  Also, I would like to point out once again, the fact that MD-ND is the 4th most anticipated game of the season is unreal.  I know I’m sounding like a broken record, but come on!

Number 3 on the list is the September 17, 2011 game against WVU.  This used to be a pretty good rivalry, but the Hoopies have had the upper hand over the last half decade or so.  When we hired Randy Edsall one of the selling pionts in my mind was that he beat WVU in 2010.  When is the last time Ralph got the better of the Mountaineers?  When it comes to hating WVU, I don’t feel as though I need to elaborate much more, but I will say enjoy this game in College Park, because the next time WVU comes to Maryland, it will be to an NFL Stadium because…..well the atmosphere at a Pro Stadium is always better than a college one (eyes rolling).

Coming in at 2nd on the list is the September 5, 2011 game verses the Miami Hurricanes.  This isn’t so much about the Hurricanes as it is about it being the first home game of the year.  There is nothing like pulling in to Lot 1, setting up your stuff, popping open that first beer and talking football with all your friends.  It is something I’ve been anticipating since the Military Bowl.  Just under two months now!

And Finally, the most anticipated Maryland game of the year award goes to October 15, 2011 when the Tigers of Clemson come to town.  When your oldest sister and best man at your wedding are both Tigers, this match up gets pretty personal (especially when my parents refuse to pick a side DESPITE them having never lived in the Palmetto State!).  Throw away all personal feelings and this is our first divisional game of the year.  Though I have already written about the road to the Conference Championship running through FSU each year, you could make the case for Clemson as well.  This game also opens up a stretch of 3 Atlantic Division games making it all the more important to win.

So there you have it. Not quite as difficult as ranking your favoriet children, but much harder than say ranking your co-workers.  Needless to say, we have been blessed this year with a great schedule.  Now it is time for Coach Edsall and the boys to get things done on the field.  Go Terps!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 13th, 2011 at 5:42 am and is filed under Maryland Terps Football. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.