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Texas Football: 5 biggest storylines in season opener vs. Maryland

By Andrew Miller

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns walks into the stadium before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns walks into the stadium before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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In first comments as Maryland’s interim football coach, Matt Canada stresses priority is player safety Matt Canada, second left, talks with running back Tayon Fleet-Davis (33) during the team’s first spring practice on March 5, 2018 at College Park, Md. At the time, Canada was the team’s new offensive coordinator. He is now Maryland’s interim football coach. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/TNS via Getty Images)
In first comments as Maryland’s interim football coach, Matt Canada stresses priority is player safety Matt Canada, second left, talks with running back Tayon Fleet-Davis (33) during the team’s first spring practice on March 5, 2018 at College Park, Md. At the time, Canada was the team’s new offensive coordinator. He is now Maryland’s interim football coach. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/TNS via Getty Images) /

4. How Tom Herman prepares to face interim Matt Canada

With Durkin currently on paid leave from Maryland, the interim head coach is former LSU Tigers offensive coordinator Matt Canada. In his limited time with the LSU football program, Canada had a difficult time getting on the same page with head coach Ed Orgeron. In effect, Canada departed ways with LSU and wound up at Maryland.

In the past, Canada has been a well renowned offensive coordinator and assistant coach. LSU was a slight bump in the road, but given all the talent and depth on the Maryland offense, he could be a threat.

Texas had a very challenging time trying to keep the Maryland offense in check last season. Turning that part of the game around will be a major key to the Horns ultimately coming out on top on the scoreboard. Canada will do his best to keep the Texas defense confused and on the field for most of the game to tire them out.

Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando is another major player in the coaching battle between the Horns and Terps this year. He was one of the most valuable assistants among any team in the Big 12 last season and should be again this year. Preparing for the multitude of looks that Canada will give the Horns in both the passing attack and ground game is an interesting aspect of this matchup.

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