Nothing was bigger in today's 41-14 win over the Terps than dependable Dustin Hopkins shattering the NCAA's all-time points record for kickers. Hopkins made his historic kick in the second quarter and added another field goal to set the bar even higher for future kickers.
Sure, Devonta Freeman deserves the game ball for his 148 yard day thanks to determined, tackle-busting runs and two TDs. But give Hopkins a ball for the season. It could be awhile before another kicker comes close to the golden shoe's point total -- especially since he has three more games to add to it.
Maryland may have lost the game but gained a new conference. You can imagine the buzz in the press conference wasn't about Hopkins, but the out-of-the-blue rumor about the Terps flirting -- and maybe going to third base -- with the Big Ten (story here from the four-letter network that broke it).
The move would solve a lot of money issues for Maryland. The school recently dropped seven sports to help balance the athletics' budget. So the obvious question becomes how could they afford $50 mil to bail from the ACC. Will the Big Ten float them a giant loan against future payouts? Have the profs in Maryland's top 50 law school found a loophole that would allow the Terps a much cheaper exit?
If Maryland has figured a creative way to bolt from the conference, it gives new hope to the many FSU fans who'd rather see the Noles in the Pop Warner League than the ACC.
Stay tuned. This rumor, that would include Rutgers to the Big Ten, might just have legs. In fact, one source is saying there could be an announcement as soon as Monday.
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