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Just wanted to get a few final thoughts here on the boards while they're still fresh in my head. So here goes...

- Obviously there's some trepidation about the QB position when you've had a four-year starter who set the league record for most passing yards in a career. But I think as long as Locksley is in charge the QB position is in pretty good hands. Billy Edwards doesn't have an extremely accurate arm, but he is more than capable to lead the offense down the field on scoring drives. Cam Edge has a cannon for an arm and showed some big play ability. And then you have MJ Morris coming in from NC State who has numerous P5 starts under his belt and probably has the best blend of talent of the three. I'm guessing there will be a real QB competition this spring and summer and whoever wins out should be a solid starter. But there will be a ton of talent at the skill positions around them and the offensive line should be good enough for this offense to be pretty good once again.

- The overall depth in talent in this program now compared to when Locks took over is night and day. There was a time not long ago where the defense never would have been able to recover losing a guy like Barham to Michigan. Now? I'm honestly not sure Wheatland won't be as good or better than Barham next season. We knew Perry Fisher would get a ton of reps today but I'm not sure anyone knew what to expect. And while he wasn't going up against a bunch of stars and got beat a time or two, he more than held is own and actually looked pretty impressive for the most part. I thought Dante Trader looked really good despite finishing with just one tackle in the box score. And Glen Miller is in line to have a monster season next year.

- You can argue over whether this was truly a 'good' win all you want, but at the end of the day, all most people are going to remember is that Maryland trounced Auburn on national TV to get to 8 wins for a second straight season and win a bowl game for a third straight season for the first time in program history. That's going to carry serious weight on the recruiting trail and gives the program a lot of positive momentum heading into 2024.

No longer even in "Others Receiving Votes"

Roll Tide in the 2nd half!

May be a tough get.

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Mt. Zion Prep Rivals150 shooting guard Malachi Palmer will be announcing his college commitment at 1 p.m. ET a little later this afternoon from his hometown of Harrisburg, Pa. He'll be choosing between the Terps, Florida St, Oklahoma St, Seton Hall and West Virginia. He took an official visit to Maryland just before Christmas.

Fully expecting the Terps to get their first commit for 2024 today.

Palmer is a strong, big-bodied athlete who can finish at the rim through contact as well as create his own shot off the bounce. He's got a pretty smooth stroke out to 15 feet and is a decent three-point shooter although that isn't the strength of his game. One plus here is that with his size and versatility, you can almost certainly play both Palmer and DHS at the same time along with a more traditional point or lead guard. Could probably interchange the two at the 2/3.

I've officially put in my FutureCast. I really like what Palmer brings to the table and think he's a great addition. It is also worth noting that while Palmer most recently played on the EYBL circuit, at one point in time he played for Team Thrill with Derik Queen.

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Kevin Willard and the Terps begin the new year with a bang, landing their first commitment for 2024 in Rivals250 guard Malachi Palmer.

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🤣

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The Mrs. and I made the trip to Nashville and were not disappointed. Of course, the check engine light came on, but Ford took care of it late Friday night. Auburn should be so lucky. Although the Auburn fans turned out their football team didn't. Sitting on the 50-yard line near the top I got to see the entire field. Does Auburn really teach their WR's to fall down every time they don't make the catch hoping for a PI call. What a bunch of pussies. I even thought I could read the lips of MD DB's saying the same thing.

Again, no running game for the Terps but Auburn didn't have one either. The Tigers just seemed to be lost in space. Maryland has as much or more speed than the Tigers and SEC team. Once I realized that their QB was the old MSU QB I knew we had a chance. Terp DB's made several great plays. That pic 6 was as easy as it gets. I think the refs really allowed both teams to play, but I think Auburn was more used to ticky tacky calls and didn't get many, maybe one.

Cam isn't ready, but then again, he probably just needs time. Big Red didn't have big stats, but he got the job done. If he plays the entire game the Terps score at least 2 more TD's. Terp coaches outcoached the Auburn coaches. Did I really say that. If the Terps had a real running game, they might have scored 50 plus easy.

The Tennessee Titan restrooms were the cleanest and warmest I have ever seen at a pro or college stadium bar none. The Auburn fans were of course underdressed and spent most of halftime in the heated restrooms. What a punch of puuuuuuu. I would have preferred the all red uniform but the all black uniform has a pro look about it. I haven't been to a game in years and was surprised not to see a paper game program. I had to scan it off the scoreboard, and that was weird for this boomer.

We walked Broadway and yes, I picked up a sweet new pair of black boots, had a few drinks, and ate some good food. Pleasantly surprised with these Terps and coaches.

Being told that Derik Queen will be at tonight's game versus Coppin State, along with former Team Thrill teammate and top 25 2025 scoring guard Tyler Jackson.

As I think many of you saw, I posted a pic of Queen working out here in Maryland the other day with Jimmy Patsos looking on along with his AAU coach. They are home for the holiday.

As for what this means for the Terps' chances? I certainly don't see it as anything but a positive development. Any time you can get a five-star on campus for a game, that is huge.

With regards to Tyler Jackson, he still feels like a long shot for Maryland at this point, but again, anytime you get an elite prospect on campus, it is huge.

Despite the slow start to the season, it feels like the Terps have a little momentum now, both on the court and on the recruiting trail.

It looks like they will get a commitment from Rivals150 guard Malichi Palmer in the near future and they are still right there along with Indiana for Queen. The real test on the court will come after New Year's Day when they host Purdue.

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Back to basketball for a min.....

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Game story with quotes, final stats and highlights at the link.

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Scott/others:

With these new helmets allowing radio communication for non-BCS playoff bowl games, I’ve got a couple of questions.

Is Gattis the only coach who can speak to our QB and center, and can Gattis keep talking through the entire play to help with pre-snap reads, protections, blitzes, reading coverage and directing which receiver to target?

Are defensive players allowed to use these microphone radio communication helmets and if so, how many players (including backups) are permitted, and what positions? How many defensive coaches can speak to players and is it through the entire play?

Can all remaining coaches listen to the radio communications?

Have they been approved for next season or will there be a vote or decision for next season?

With all the opt outs and transfers ahead of bowl games now, they are so hard to predict. And for all the guys that won't suit up for Maryland, there is an equal number who won't for Auburn. The Tigers will be without their best D-lineman, multiple starting corners, multiple starting wideouts, etc.

So forget analysis, here's my prediction....

It is cold in Nashville today and the Terps will be honoring former Tennessee Titan Frank Wycheck. I'll take the Terps to beat the Tigers, 27-20

Who ya got?

Billy Edwards puts the game away early, shorthanded secondary steps up and the program makes historic progress to finish Year 5 under Locksley.

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Broadcast info, betting odds, weather, links, interviews and more at the link below.

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