First off, Maryland is far from undefeated. They have a 4-2 record with the two losses coming against the best two teams that they have faced, in UCLA and Missouri.

Why do I say this? The combined record of their opponents is 16 - 13 but Missouri is 5-1 while UCLA is 5-0. That is 10-1 for the two teams that they have lost to. That leaves their remaining opponents at 6-12, not exactly opponents which have been tearing up the gyms.

Their best two wins are against Northeastern (2-2, by two points at home) and Lehigh (3-3, by 21 at home). I don't know about you, but I see those names on the schedule and I don't exactly quake in my boots.

Not only have their wins been against less than stellar competition, but their losses have been big. They lost by 22 to UCLA, which can be expected. However, losing by 14 to Missouri was not expected. When you are expected to contend in the ACC, you don't lose by double digits to a team that might be in the middle of the pack in the Big XII, a conference that outside of Kansas, Texas A&M, and maybe Texas isn't scaring anyone.

The third reason why they are at 104? Turnovers. They are giving the ball up four times more a game than their opponents. Average in the nation is about even. It isn't a big number off average yet, but this could give them trouble, especially when the opponents become more difficult to beat.

Usually there is something a little off with Maryland's teams which keep them from being high in the MRI. Most of the time, it is their fatal flaw. It looks like holding onto the ball will be their Achilles' Heel this season.

So, sorry Phil. Maryland isn't up to snuff yet. Maybe they will show us something tonight against Illinois, and maybe even more when we get into the ACC season. For right now, 104 seems just about right.