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Written by DCist contributor Brett Gellman.
The last time the Terrapins visited Lane Stadium back on a chilly Thursday night in 2004 they were the recipients of a 55-6 drubbing and were embarrassed in front a national television audience.
Then again, the Hokies were also ranked #15 at the time and eventually went on to win the conference championship. Meanwhile, the Terps entered the game with a 4-5 record and had one of the worst offenses in Ralph Friedgen’s tenure since he took over the program back in 2001.
Flash forward four years later and things have changed significantly.
#23 Maryland (6-2, 3-1 ACC) is in first place in the Atlantic Division and is the only team in the entire ACC with just one conference loss.
Virginia Tech (5-3, 2-2 ACC), on the other hand, has lost two consecutive conference games and currently stand second to last in the Coastal Division.
The Hokies have struggled offensively since the start of season (ranked 112th in the nation), and now that quarterbacks Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor are both questionable for tomorrow night’s game after enduring injuries against Florida State, that leaves redshirt senior Cory Holt as the team’s best option behind center.
Tech head coach Frank Beamer has said very little regarding the health of his quarterbacks but I would not be surprised if Glennon saw the field in some fashion tomorrow night. The game is a must-win for the Hokies if they want to remain in contention for the conference championship.
The Terps have had their fair share of injuries as well as star running back and ACC leading rusher Da’Rel Scott reinjured his shoulder two weeks ago against NC State. Scott’s speed is dangerous but has been limited lately because of his durability. He’s listed as questionable along with linebackers Dave Phillistin and Adrian Moten.
Virginia Tech’s defense is their greatest asset as cornerback. Macho Harris already has four interceptions this season. The Hokies will plan to bring the pressure to Maryland QB Chris Turner early and often in hopes of forcing a turnover, something Tech mightily excels at. In fact, they rank sixth in the country in turnover margins.
As for predictions, this one is a toss-up. The Terps always seem to play well against better opposition, and while the Hokies may not be ranked, they still play fierce, tough Beamer Ball. The electric atmosphere in Blacksburg on a Thursday night is unlike anything else in college football and that can only help Tech.
Prediction: 21-17 Virginia Tech. Winning at Lane Stadium on a Thursday night is hard. Like, really hard. The only exception was Boston College’s win last year and that took a miraculous play by Matt Ryan in order to seal it up. At any rate, this should be a very enjoyable game at a great game-day atmosphere in one of the most unpredictable conferences in all of college football.
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Terps by 78
Go Terps!
That said, despite the Tech QB woes, I'd be amazed if Maryland win at Lane. Such a big game though - big Conference championship game implications.
Hmm... can they both lose?
That would be my ideal outcome, granted I judge them by unusual criteria.
yawn.
wake me up when either school matters.
we are!
we are!
... inevitably going to be left out of the BCS National Championship Game! :-)
IMGoph I have yet to do the math but I will wager that Maryland and VT both have a better record than the Lions since 2001. FREDTERP
Go Hokies!!!!!
Hokie beats turtle!!!
ick... Maryland
fredterp: wonderful, and i can pick a random period of time (let's say 50 years) and say that penn state has a better record.
the point is—who cares?
this year, penn state kicks both their asses. period.