MD has played very conservatively offensively in their first two games, choosing to accentuate the running game and get their offensive line a lot of work in that area. The strength of their team offensively is good depth at running back with Ball, Lattimore and Allen and a deep talented offensive line. The most inexperienced part of MD's team is at WR, where they have very little returning experience other than Weatherly (injured foot did not play in first two games) and Oquendo. Isaiah Williams and Oquendo have been starting and RF Darius Heyward-Bey who has a lot of speed has been worked into the rotation. Ralph is frustrated by the lack of depth at the position right now and has stated that he wants to try and simplify things for his WR's right now. MD basically has just stuck to the ground in these two first games, and not asked Hollenbach to do much in the way of downfield passing. I think some of this has been by design to not show opponents a lot on film of the passing game and then some has been Friedgen trying to simplify the offense for his young players. My concern is will MD be able to draw on a downfield passing game this early in the year when they are building in that area. If they fall behind by more than a TD they will have to try and move the ball through the air probably more than they would like. I think the place to attack WVU is through the air, with their young secondary still gaining experience. MD has a lot of success through the Friedgen era attacking the 3-3-5 stack, but I think Ralph will have to be willing to throw the ball a little bit more here to keep the WVU defense off balance. WVU is a very tough place to play and their running game with Slaton and White is outstanding. MD will have to committ to first and foremost stop the run. The good news for MD is they can afford to play man on one side with Josh Wilson who is a lock down corner on either Reynaud or Myles and hopefully this will enable them to go ahead and commit at least one of the safeties to stopping the run. They have to make White try and beat them through the air, so I expect to see a lot of 8 in the box dedicated to the run. MD will need to stay in this game early and not make turnovers if they are to have a chance. If the get down by more than a TD I will be concerned about their ability to make up a large deficit. I do think they can stay in this game though by being effective defensively against the run. I figured it would open at 14 or so which it did, and see it has been bet up to 16 rather quickly. This doesn't surprise me as WVU has gotten a lot of national recognition and deservedly so. I will probably pass on the game but if I can get 17 or more, may be inclined to make a small play on MD.
