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Maryland Preview
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Remember that scene from “Good Will Hunting” where the smarmy guy in the bar is hitting on Minnie Driver, gets all snooty with Ben “Nobody Remembers I Was In ‘Dazed and Confused’” Affleck, and then gets completely creamed in that academic argument with Matt Damon, but comforts himself by saying, “Yeah, but in 5 years you’ll be serving my kids fries.” That reminds me of the attitude of Maryland Terrapin fans. More than the fans of any other school, I despise Maryland fans. Sure, Marshall fans are delusional, VT and Pitt fans can be rude and obnoxious (but so are we, so it’s ok), but no other fanbase manages to take delusion, rudeness, and obnoxiousness and blend it so well with the smug superiority of the Turtle fans I’ve met. Now, I’m aware that all-inclusive statements are the hallmark of ignorance, and I certainly don’t mean to denigrate all UM fans. But on the whole, I have had more unpleasant experiences with fans of that school than I have any other. And it’s not because of the ordinary banter that you’ll hear at any football game regarding which team is good/sucks, etc. that makes Maryland fans so unbearable; I can handle that. (I’ve been to Yankee Stadium in full Red Sox gear four times- trust me, I can take “Your team sucks” arguments.) My problem is that in my encounters with Maryland fans (which has included quietly sitting in the Maryland section twice in away games and once at the Gator Bowl, as well as run-ins with fans in the Morgantown games), it seems like they are more willing to fall back on the same tired, generalized stereotypes that West Virginians face everywhere. Want an example? Last year, I bought two tickets to UM/WVU on ebay. Great seats, but I was in the Maryland section wearing WVU shit. No biggie to me. As the game goes on, the two guys in front of me continuously rag me about being from West Virginia, culminating in a “Why don’t you go back to your trailer and f*@# your sister” comment which was immediately followed with my obnoxious laughter while pointing at the scoreboard, which now had WVU winning comfortably. Every Maryland fan I’ve ever encountered in my extensive dealings with them has made at least one or two comments of this variety, inevitably bringing up the stereotypes of our State as if it was a trump card to any discussion based on a completely unrelated subject- football. Never mind the fact that I live all of 6 minutes from the border of Maryland, and I seriously doubt the socioeconomic status changes all that drastically over the course of those 6 miles, I just wonder why the arrogance is so THICK coming from the other side of the Potomac. Basically, the recourse I’ve chosen is just to reply to the typical smug remark like “I wonder if they practice in their bare feet, too” (actually heard) with something acknowledging that the person speaking is a member of the fanbase with the highest percentage of assholes in the nation. Actually, put much more briefly, I typically say, “Yeah, WV has rednecks, but you’re an asshole.” That tends to quell the argument fairly quickly, and I am free to go about my day. - Football Preview Because I do not foresee this to be much of a game at all (I don’t think Coach Rod has put his foot on the gas yet this season), I’ll keep the actual football portion of this preview brief. WVU basically did whatever they wanted on offense against Maryland last year in the first game in which Pat White really saw any significant minutes, and the defense put on a hitting exhibition the likes of which I’ve never seen. Meanwhile, Maryland lost it’s primary offensive weapon in that game in 5th overall NFL draft choice Vernon Davis, as well as 34th overall NFL draft choice and All-American linebacker D’Quell Jackson. (Wherever you may go, wherever you may be, you will always have a place in my heart, D’Quell.) So despite the fact that the Hut… err… Fridge is calling the plays on offense now and presumably Sam Hollenbach couldn’t get any worse (although he does make a special appearance in this week’s Wire), I just don’t see the Terps putting up much of a fight. (Apparently, neither do Vegas sportsbooks, who currently have us as 17-point favorites.) Add to all of this that Maryland, a rival, is traveling to Morgantown, on Thursday, at night, in a nationally televised game, and I don’t see much chance of them making it out of there in one piece. WVU 45- UM 14 |
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| Poster | Thread |
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| navi8orgirl | Posted: 9/13/2006 12:27 pm Updated: 9/13/2006 12:27 pm |
WMITC   Joined: 2/9/2006 From: Houston, TX Posts: 3565 |
 Re: Maryland PreviewI had the pleasure of spending a couple of months in the southern part of the state heading up an aircraft engineering change....take every stereotype about West Virginia and amp it up on crack and Boone's Farm....and you got southern Maryland.
 I have to laugh at the WV stereotypes, as rednecks and "trailer trash" dwell everywhere! As for your line about "I just wonder why the arrogance is so THICK coming from the other side of the Potomac...." it is because the BS is also thick on that side and arrogance and BS tend to stick together.  At least we know the outcome of Thursday....  |
| PB | Posted: 9/14/2006 12:55 pm Updated: 9/14/2006 12:55 pm |
Pitt Hater   Joined: 2/13/2006 From: Washington DC Posts: 1421 |
Re: Maryland Preview My keys to the game:
WVU needs to get an early lead. If that happens, we'll win big. Maryland QB Sam Hollenbach has not thrown an INT yet this season. Why? Because he's only thrown 30 passes. Fridge knows this kid is more mistake prone than Mr. Magoo. The ONLY chance Maryland has lies in keeping our offense off the field. They HAVE to be able to run the ball to do this. If we take an early lead and force Maryland to pass, they are in serious trouble. Sam Hollenbach cant beat even our inexperienced defensive backfield and their defense cant stop our offense. A passing offense with a below average QB will not be able to operate in that atmosphere. If we go up by 2 scores in the first quarter, the rout will be on. |
| MichaelJLucasWV | Posted: 9/14/2006 6:19 pm Updated: 9/14/2006 6:19 pm |
Grant Ave. Warrior   Joined: 8/22/2006 From: Spartanburg, SC via Boone County WV Posts: 922 |
Re: Maryland Preview Quote:
as well as 34th overall NFL draft choice and All-American linebacker D’Quell Jackson. (Wherever you may go, wherever you may be, you will always have a place in my heart, D’Quell.) what did i miss btw, what happened with D'Quell Jackson? |
| wvufan76 | Posted: 9/18/2006 12:05 pm Updated: 9/18/2006 12:08 pm |
Noob   Joined: 9/18/2006 From: Posts: 37 |
Re: Maryland Preview I can relate. in southern md right now (getting out hopefully this month). definitely redneck-ish. I have to add too, what other state makes you declare "relationship to groom" (if any) on a marriage license?? hint..not WVA..
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| navi8orgirl | Posted: 9/18/2006 9:37 pm Updated: 9/18/2006 9:37 pm |
WMITC Joined: 2/9/2006 From: Houston, TX Posts: 3565 |
Re: Maryland Preview Pax River by chance?
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