DCist’s (hardly) comprehensive recap of the Saturday that was in college football, across the country and in our own backyard.

The Slipper-y Slope: Is Maryland really talking Orange Bowl after their win against North Carolina State? A 27-24 squeaker decided in the last 6 seconds of the game against a team that has no wins against other Atlantic Coast Conference rivals this season hardly makes the slam-dunk case. Especially considering that NC State held the ball longer (36 minutes to 24 minutes) and scored more yards passing and overall — all on Maryland turf, following an ultimate-nullifying three straight consecutive losses — enthusiasm in Maryland ought to be curbed at best.

Say this much: Maryland finally proved that they can win games against terrible, terrible teams. September and October losses against Middle Tennessee State and Virginia have surely been stuck in their craw since. Still, Saturday’s win — which boosts the Terps to 6-2 (3-1 in conference play) — is a far sight from a compelling bid for the ACC’s slot in the Orange Bowl. The numbers say it all: Quarterback Chris Turner completed just 9 of 20 for 126 yards, while running backs Da’Rel Scott and Davin Meggett ran for a combined 50 yards. On Saturday, Maryland merely managed to not lose first.

Nevertheless, the Terps are bowl bound after their homecoming victory on Saturday and coach Ralph Friedgen can taste the Orange. He might ask: Why not Maryland? On November 22, the team plays #25 Florida State, the only team leading them in the conference; and if Maryland can’t beat them then, you can rest assured that #8 Florida will do the job on November 29. And those contests notwithstanding, Florida State has the harder road to the end of the season.

Between today and Florida State, Maryland plays a ranked team (North Carolina) who should beat them and an unranked team (Virginia Tech) they should beat. So far this season, Maryland’s had a hard time adhering to expectations. Given the sorry state of the ACC, it would be a bit much to call the Terps a candidate for this year’s Cinderella story. But a plausible homely stepsister?

Photo by jbhaber