Notes on Maryland's collapse against N.C. State

RALEIGH, N.C. — Like most coaches, Randy Edsall can't say all that he feels after losses.

He presented a calm exterior, but you wonder what he was really thinking after Maryland lost a 27-point, third-quarter lead in N.C. State's 56-41 victory. The Terps finished the season 2-10.

I am going to hazard a guess or two:

He may have been feeling that the talent level on this team is not so high. More than one Maryland insider has remarked to me that they believe the group Edsall inherited is not as skilled as fans imagine.

Edsall seemed to hint at this earlier in the season when he said Maryland needed to recruit more speed and athleticism. There is no question that recruiting will hold the key to his ability to turning all this around.

Edsall probably couldn't help but think about injuries. It's stunning that Maryland started a different defensive lineup in each of the team's 12 games. The unit was lacking precious continuity and was playing as many as a handful of freshman at times this season.

I'm also guessing Edsall may have been as stunned as the rest of us who watched the Terps lose a 41-14 lead just like that.

That's the fastest I've ever seen a large lead disappear.

One thing Edsall didn't want to talk about is change heading into next season. "We've got a plan in place," he said.

Over time, we will find out what that plan is.