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by DCist contributor Brett Gellman
While most fans in the area, if not the country, will be watching the marquee ACC matchup of Virginia Tech vs. Miami, two struggling programs will take the field in College Park when Maryland (1-2, 0-0 ACC) faces Rutgers (2-1, 0-1 Big East) in the Terps' final non-conference game of the season.
The Terrapins are reeling from a stunning home loss to none other than Middle Tennessee State for the second consecutive year. It was Maryland's worst home loss in 12 years, as the team had not fallen to a non-BCS conference opponent at Byrd Stadium since an upset by Ohio in 1997. Turnovers (four to be precise), penalties, and a Blue Raider spread offense spelled trouble for the Maryland defense from the start and allowed Middle Tennessee to escape Byrd with a 32-31 victory, thanks to a last second field goal. Key injuries for the Terps also played a role, forcing head coach Ralph Friedgen to insert inexperienced players into the game.
All that said, if Maryland has any hope of salvaging its season from a dreadful start, it all begins this Saturday against the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers is also having its fair share of problems as they were decimated by Big East favorite Cincinnati 47-15 in their home opener. And while the Knights bounced back against Howard the following week, Rutgers only managed to beat fellow minnow Florida International by an eight-point margin last Saturday. Furthermore, true freshman starting quarterback Tom Savage is a game-time decision.
A few things fall in the Terrapins favor. First, offensive lineman Bruce Campbell and safety Jamari McCollough will return to the starting lineup after suffering injuries against Cal three weeks ago. Campbell will be able to protect quarterback Chris Turner's blind spot much more effectively, while McCollough brings senior leadership to a depleted Maryland secondary.
Rutgers also employs a more traditional offense which should make things less stressful for the Terps' defensive unit. Maryland has been unable to defend the spread -- as we quickly learned when they played James Madison and Middle Tennessee State -- so Rutgers' more conventional schemes should be a nice change of pace. However, I wouldn't expect too many sacks by Maryland, as the Scarlet Knights boast a senior-laden offensive line that was rated one of the best in the Big East.
Prediction: 38-33, Maryland. I'm going with the Terps here because it is just not possible to make as many mistakes as Maryland committed last week. They gave the game away in so many different ways, and MTSU still only won by a single point. Also, Rutgers just isn't very good. Then again, neither are the Terps -- but the Scarlet Knights lack the offensive weapons to match the explosiveness of running back Da'Rel Scott and wide receiver/kick returner Torrey Smith.
Saturday's game takes place at Byrd Stadium in College Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30pm and will be streamed live on ESPN360. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased through the Terrapin Ticket Office.
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Hate to break it to the east coasters, but the rest of the country rarely pays attention to the ACC in football. Not to say it won't be a good game, but the Big XII, Big 10, and PAC 10 get most of the national attention