Maryland football fans have been circling Labor Day Monday (September 5) on their calendars for a while, because it marks the beginning of the Terps' season at home against Miami. However, during his media address at the 2011 ACC Football Kickoff in Pinehurst, N.C., new coach Randy Edsall said he would have preferred not to play Miami first.
Via the Washington Post, Edsall said the league mandated the Terps begin with Miami because of television.
Randy Edsall said MD was supposed to play Towson in the 2011 season opener. Edsall said TV/ACC folks mandated MD switch and play Miami in season opener instead. Edsall said he would prefer to play a nonconference opponent in the season opener, but this was out of his hands.
It would certainly be easier for a new coach to play Towson first, but Maryland football fans have also been looking forward to the Miami game for a while. It's surprising that Edsall would volunteer this information.
For more on the 2011 ACC Football Kickoff, visit Testudo Times.