Virginia Tech Hokies (6-3, 3-2) at Maryland Terrapins (2-7, 1-4)
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009
Place: Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium (54,000), College Park, Md.
TV: None (Broadcast available on ESPN360.com)
Maryland: The Terps are coming off a 38-31 loss at NC State last week ... Maryland QB Chris Turner scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter to put the Terps ahead, 21-17 ... however, Turner was injured on the play and did not return ... after Turner went out, Maryland was outscored 21-10 ... its touchdown came on a kickoff return by Torrey Smith ... backup Jamarr Robinson completed 5 of 11 passes for 27 yards ... he also ran eight times for 46 yards, not including a sack ... running back Da'Rel Sc'ott broke his wrist against Clemson Oct. 3 ... Scott averaged over five yards per carry before the injury ... without Scott, the Terps are 0-4 and have averaged 3.0 ypc and are currently No. 10 in the ACC, averaging 2.9 ypc.
Trends: The Hokies won last week at ECU after losing its previous two games ... Virginia Tech has lost four of its last five ACC road games ... Maryland has lost four consecutive games ... the Terps are 2-3 at home this season, including wins over James Madison and Clemson ... Maryland is 2-6 against the Coastal division in the last three seasons ... Virginia Tech is 4-3 against the Atlantic division in the last three seasons.
History Lesson: The Hokies are 14-15 all-time against the Terps and have won the last four meetings ... the last time Maryland beat Virginia Tech was 20-13 in 1990 in College Park ... Tech is 3-3 all-time in College Park ... the Hokies have won all three meetings since the they joined the ACC in 2004, including on the road in 2005 ... this is the first time Tech's game against Maryland hasn't been on Thursday night since 1993, the last time the teams met before Tech joined the ACC ... last year, Darren Evans ran for a Virginia Tech record 253 yards en route to a 23-13 win.
What to Expect
- Don't expect Da'Rel Scott. He's not supposed to play until Nov. 21 at Florida State, but could the team's recent struggles lead to an early return?
- Expect Jamarr Robinson at quarterback. Turner is questionable for this weekend's game with an injured MCL, but Terp fans want to see Robinson regardless of whether or not Turner can go.
- Expect Robinson to be in scramble mode. The Hokies should be able to stop the Terps' run game, force passing downs and then go after Robinson. However, the elusive Robinson may be able to get yards on the ground.
- Expect the Hokies to put some points on the board. Maryland is allowing and ACC-worst 32.3 points per game, including 27.6 in five conference games.
- Expect another decent rush defense against Tech. The Terps are allowing 2.6 yards per carry in league games, which is the best in the ACC. This is in large part to linebacker Alex Wujciak, who is one of the best in the conference.
- Expect Tyrod to get it done. On the other end of the spectrum, Maryland allows 7.8 yards per pass attempt in league games, No. 10 in the ACC.
- Expect a trimmer Fridge. Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen weighed over 400 pounds in October 2008. Since then he's lost over 100 pounds, without surgery.
Hokies win if: Tyrod Taylor has a good game passing and the Hokies don't turn the ball over.
Terrapins win if: Jamarr Robinson can make plays with his feet, Torrey Smith can make plays on special teams and the Hokies have another bad road game in conference.
Dot-dot-dots: The Terps will be wearing special camouflage uniforms to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior project ... the Hokies will be wearing "special" Pro Combat uniforms from our Nike overlords ... Frank Beamer and Ralph Friedgen were assistant coaches together at The Citadel from 1973-78 and Friedgen served on Beamer's staff at Murray State in 1981 ... Virginia Tech has eight players from the state of Maryland, including starters Nekos Brown, Rashad Carmichael and Kenny Jefferson.
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