While sorting through some of the data for this afternoon's post about Maryland's offensive line, something seemed more striking than usual.
The Terrapins haven't averaged 25 points a game for six straight years, which isn't all that easy to do in college football today.
No, it's not easy to average 25 points every year. Or even most years. But the odds are at some point, a team will crack the 25-point average in a six-year span.
After all, only three major college programs haven't done so once since 2004.
MOST CONSECUTIVE SEASONS, LESS THAN 25 POINTS PER GAME
13: Army
6: Maryland
6: Syracuse
5: Florida International
5: San Jose State
5: Tulane
5: Wyoming
4: Miami (Ohio)
4: New Mexico
4: UCLA
4: Vanderbilt
4: Virginia
The Terps have come close --- 24.5 points a game in 2005, 24.1 points a game in 2007 --- but never quite got over that hump. And while it isn't a divide that instantaneously creates excitement, let's face it: With some of the pinball offenses in play today, not having a single remarkable year of scoring offense hints at a boring (or worse) product in the eyes of the paying customers.
There is one thing that differentiates Maryland from the rest of the teams on this list:
| Team(s) | Seasons |
.500+ |
Bowls |
Bowl Ws |
| Maryland |
6 | 2 | 3 |
2 |
| Rest | 59 | 10 |
9 |
5 |
That Maryland has scratched out some success in recent years is remarkable given the so-so offense. But if there's going to be a turnaround this year, the Terps will be better off not bucking the odds and fielding a more productive offense.
Common sense, right? But as recent years show, it's easier said than done in College Park.
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