Debby Downer

"There's just something about ya/thats got me not knowin if I want to kiss ya or smack the fuck out ya" - Methodman, You Remind Me Remix

Back in the spring of 2002. I was faced with a tough decision, college. I went 2 for 2 in acceptances (hall of fame numbers), and was stuck between Wisconsin and Maryland. As a sports enthusiast, my decision boiled down to one easy question. Which school would provide me with the most sports happiness? Given the events of 2002, it was pretty clear which school that was going to be. CO-ACC Champion in football, and eventual National Champion in basketball (Maryland also beat Wisconsin in the Sweet Sixteen that year, the first nail in the coffin), Maryland was the no brainer pick.

Since then it hasn't been such a high flying experience. It isn't so much the fact that occasionally my alma mater fields a bad team. Hey, that is going to happen. What does grind my gears, however, is when a team not only fails to live up to expectations, but does so in a roller coaster, up and down fashion that by mid-november or early march, you're curled up in a ball remembering happier times.

So, as my beloved Terps sit on the cusp on a national ranking, I'm forced to ask myself, "Are we for real this time?" Even after a horrible, seemingly inexcusable loss to Middle Tennessee State (who just squeaked it out over Florida Atlantic for their second win of the season this week) we still find ourselves among the best teams in the league. It isn't much of a surprise since we've knocked off ranked teams in back to back weeks making it four straight against ranked teams dating back to last year.

Although we are 4-1, and look to be making a case for a run for a good season, I still have my doubts. Last year, I was in attendance as we shocked a ranked Rutgers team in Jersey. I felt really good about where we were headed. Even after we squeaked it out against GTech the next week with Erin Henderson injured, I still felt confident we were making strides. Then came UVA, Clemson, and UNC. Loss, loss, and agonizing loss. Then, out of nowhere, we dominated Boston College, division favorite, at home. How did the team that lost three straight tough games come out and knock off the top team in the division? Who knows.

This is the kind of performance I have come to expect. Playing to the level of your opponent. They have looked solid the past two games. Taking care of the ball, getting Heyward-Bey his touches, being creative on offense, bend but don't break on defense. With UVA coming up this week fresh off a bashing at the hands of puke... I mean duke, it feels like the Terps are going to roll again. This time I really want to believe it. I do. But something in the back of my mind keeps wondering which team is going to show up. The team that beat up on two teams looking to contend for a national title coming into the season, or the team that stumbled against a bottom dweller hoping to find 3 or 4 wins this season?

I really can't be sure. The only encouragement I get from this season is that we went out and ran up the score against Eastern Michigan, 51-24. If we can go down to Scott Stadium (no relation, I swear), and handle our business against a team averaging 9 points a game, I'll feel much better.

Please help me avoid the fetal position this year boys... Please.