"I did come in trying to motivate, and I was probably premature on that," Vanderlinden said. "I think that one of the big things that you have to do when you take over a program that hasn't had success for awhile, is you have to change attitudes."
One would think that Vanderlinden's bowl predictions would have put undue pressure on his players - actually no, just the opposite. They were happy to have a coach who had confidence in their ability.
"Coach Vanderlinden came in and he had a lot of high expectations, which I expect anyone to come in and have," Maryland quarterback Ken Mastrole said. "He's not going to come in and wish for a mediocre season."
The Terps are building, and they will be the youngest team in the ACC this season. That youth is a big factor why Maryland is pick to finish last in the conference. However, once again the players are not buying into that prediction.
"The team, we want to go to a bowl game, and I think this is the year that we can do it," Maryland tailback LaMont Jordan.
Optimism still abounds for the Terrapins this season, but it will be tested early. Maryland faces three top 25 teams in the first five weeks of the season.
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