Ahead of Terps' Big Ten opener: The 3-2-1

Maryland enters its Big Ten opener 3-0 and with a ton of momentum for the homecoming matchup with Purdue this weekend. With last year’s win total already matched, many, including the Maryland players themselves, are really starting to buy into the Terps’ potential this season.

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So without further adieu, here’s The 3-2-1 as the conference schedule gets underway.

Three things we learned

1 -- Terps can protect the ball

Maryland is the only Power Five program and one of only three FBS teams in the country that has not turned the ball over yet this season. The defense has forced five takeaways through the first three games and the Terps’ turnover margin of +1.7 per game currently ranks eighth in the country. The new coaching staff in College Park has put a major emphasis on taking care of the ball and the players have spoken previously about the ball protection drills they run in practice to keep them sharp. If Maryland can keep up this kind of efficiency through Big Ten play, the Terps will find themselves competing in every game.

2 -- Aniebonam picking up where Ngakoue left off

The Terps’ ability to rush the passer after losing Yannick Ngakoue and Quinton Jefferson to the NFL was one of Maryland’s biggest question marks entering the season. But junior BUCK Jesse Aniebonam has stepped up so far and is doing an admirable job filling the gap left by Ngakoue as the team’s sack leader. Through the first quarter of the season, Aniebonam has tallied 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He appears poised to remain the Terps’ leading pass rusher this season and is in the midst of putting together a breakout year. What’s even better for the Terps is that Aniebonam only seems to be getting better after recording three tackles for loss in Maryland’s last outing against Central Florida.

3 -- These freshman can play

Through the first three games, Durkin has played 14 different true freshman and the future looks bright for the Terps. Running back Lorenzo Harrison has been a true standout and is leading Maryland’s backfield in rushing so far this year while ripping off 6.5 yards per carry. Harrison is also second among all FBS true freshman running backs with 69.3 yards per game. But the only first-year Terp to start every game so far for Maryland is punter Wade Lees, who happens to be the oldest freshman in the nation at 28-years old. Lees’ leg has been spectacular as nine of his 16 punts have been downed inside the 20 yard line. Oh, and I did we mention that rookie quarterback Ty Pigrome won a game in double overtime for the Terps against UCF with a 24-yard run? Running back-safety Jake Funk, wide receiver-defensive back Tino Ellis and safety Qwuantrezz Knight have also shown flashes of their talent this season.

Two questions

1 -- Will Wes Brown make Maryland’s backfield even better?

The Terps currently rank second in the Big Ten and 13th in the nation with 266.7 rushing yards per game. Those are some impressive numbers on the ground, especially for an offense that was just implemented in College Park this year. The key to Maryland’s rampant rushing attack is fresh bodies. With five different running backs already receiving carries this season, the Terps will add senior Wes Brown into the mix Saturday afternoon against the Boilermakers. Brown appeared set for a large workload this season before his suspension and it will be interesting to see if that has changed now that some of the other tailbacks are performing at a high level. But all signs from the coaching staff point to Brown being an integral part of Maryland’s backfield moving forward and an already strong ground game in College Park could get even more powerful.

2 -- What will the first homecoming of the Durkin era be like?

There’s a seemingly new culture surrounding Maryland’s football program with the arrival of Durkin and his staff, and so far it’s a winning one. The Randy Edsall regime ended with three wins and Durkin’s has already started with three wins, which should have Terps fans excited about the direction of the program. The questions of how excited the fanbase currently is will be answered on Saturday by the turnout at Maryland stadium for the homecoming game. The Terps have more than a legitimate chance to start the season 4-0 and would face a Penn State team that’s on the ropes in their next outing, so it’s time to jump on the bandwagon now if you haven’t already. Durkin will certainly want to make his first homecoming as head coach a memorable one so expect him to have his troops fired up.

One prediction: Will Likely is about to tear up the Big Ten

Opposing teams refuse to punt the ball to Likely, and rightfully so. The senior Floridian is one of the nation’s best punt returners and all-around playmakers, but Maryland fans might have seen the last of Likely’s special teams magic. But true playmakers make plays regardless of the opposition’s game plan and Likely is a three-way player that will still have offense and defense to lean on for touches. The addition of sophomore transfer cornerback J.C. Jackson gives the Terps another shutdown corner opposite of Likely, so offenses can no longer avoid one side of the field and limit Likely’s interception opportunities. Likely does not have a pick this season yet, but Maryland also hasn’t really faced any gunslinger quarterbacks that have taken many shots down field. With the level of arm talent on the schedule increasing, Likely will have his chances to make plays in the secondary. But he will also receive the occasional touch on offense. In the first three games, Likely rushed twice for 15 yards and caught one pass for minus-5 yards. But don’t be surprised if the Terps coaches have saved Likely’s best plays for their Big Ten opponents.