July 26, 2004

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Atlantic Coast Conference completed its final day of player and coach interviews today at the annual ACC Kickoff, and the University of Maryland football team was picked to finish fifth in this year's preseason media poll, the first in the expanded 11-team league.

This year's ACC Kickoff, held in Greensboro, N.C.'s Grandover Resort, featured two days of interviews with media from around the country spending time with players and head coaches from each conference school. In addition to head coach Ralph Friedgen, the Terps brought CB Domonique Foxworth and preseason consensus All-American OG C.J. Brooks to this year's outing, the first to include new conference members Miami and Virginia Tech.

In this year's media poll, Maryland finished fifth, trailing Florida State, Miami, Virginia and Clemson.

When asked about the anticipated effects of the league's expansion -- the most common question asked over the three-day event -- Friedgen gave a characteristically candid response.

"Well, obviously the more good teams you play the tougher it is," said Friedgen, "but this league hasn't exactly been a cakewalk. This is a tough league and if you don't believe me, look at how it has been when ACC schools have played teams from other leagues in the bowl games."

The Terps' 653 points were just 11 behind Clemson and 44 behind third place UVa. Maryland was picked to finish third in the preseason in 2003 and 2002 and seventh in 2001. In each season under Friedgen, the Terps have exceeded analysts' expectations (1st in 2001; T-2nd in 2002; 2nd in 2003).

"I think this is probably going to be our toughest year because of inexperience," said Friedgen. "And because of the success level of the last three years, there is an expectation level -- which they think they can meet -- and I think that's good. I just know what to expect because I have been with young teams before and we need to stay patient."

2004 ACC Preseason Media Poll

Pl. School              1st Pl. Votes    Pts.

1.  Florida State       (49)             925

2.  Miami               (36)             913

3.  Virginia            (2)              697

4.  Clemson             (1)              664

5.  Maryland                             653

6.  Virginia Tech                        511

7.  NC State                             509

8.  Georgia Tech                         365

9.  Wake Forest                          273

10. North Carolina                       184

11. Duke                                 114