The beginning of fall camp always breeds unbridled optimism.
Everyone is at full health and every game on the schedule appears, at a minimum, winnable. Any soon-to-be-revealed deficit has yet to come into clear view, leading to high expectations and lofty goals.
All of the above applies to Maryland, which kicked off fall camp Wednesday with a strong declaration from fifth-year head coach Mike Locksley.
“We’re now ready to compete for Big Ten championships.”
Locksley’s message to not only his team, but the nation as well, is identical to the one he made at Big Ten media day less than a week prior — the same one that even caught some of his players off guard with its straightforwardness.