PISCATAWAY -- In most tangible ways, it appeared that Maryland had pulled ahead of Rutgers in the head-to-head battle between the two programs, and given that the two teams will always be measured against each other, that was a bad development.
Maryland reached a bowl in its first season under head coach D.J. Durkin, opened a shining new football training facility this season and top the Scarlet Knights on most lists when it comes to recruiting. The Terps also came to Piscataway and beat Rutgers a year ago, dropping the Scarlet Knights to 2-10.
So this was an important game -- the most important of the season -- for several reasons.