Maryland @ Clemson preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 3, 2009 ) Clemson 21, Maryland 24

Bitter or better?

It’s been the rhetorical question most often posed as of late by Clemson coach Dabo Swinney — all the more so after the Tigers lost last week to fall to 2-3 for the second consecutive year going into Saturday’s date with visiting Maryland.

Swinney is clearly feeling the heat as the wheels of a once-promising season threaten to come off after the Tigers dropped a 21-16 decision to a depleted North Carolina team for their third consecutive loss.

But Clemson fans are hardly strangers to such a predicament.

This marks the fourth time over the last seven years the Tigers have started the season with the same disappointing 2-3 record. Each of the three previous times, the team has rebounded well to become bowl-eligible, including last year’s squad that went on to capture the ACC’s Atlantic Division title and reach the ACC championship game.

Swinney is clearly banking on another reformation this time around.

It’s easy to understand his optimism as Clemson boasts more than its share of athletes. But the Tigers will need to eliminate the many costly mistakes they’ve consistently made in a bevy of turnovers and penalties.

They did a better job of protecting the football last week, committing no turnovers against the Tar Heels after surrendering six in the loss to Miami a week earlier. But their efforts were ultimately undone by nine penalties for 81 yards, the team’s highest penalty total in five years and most penalty yards in a game in six years.

Maryland remains largely an enigma, having only beaten the likes of Navy, Morgan State, Florida International and Duke to go along with a loss to a ranked West Virginia team. The Terps feature an outstanding rushing attack led by Davin Meggett, the son of former New York Giants running back Dave Meggett.

Quarterback Danny O’Brien isn’t likely to ever put up eye-popping numbers, but he manages the offense well for coach Ralph Friedgen without turning the ball over. O’Brien, who has started the last two games, has completed just 51 percent of his attempts, but has tossed six touchdown passes without an interception.

Multi-talented receiver Torrey Smith, who leads the ACC with 123 receiving yards per game, will be his chief target.

Clemson will honor C.J. Spiller by retiring his No. 28 jersey during halftime. The former All-American running back, who is now playing with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, will be just the third Tigers player to ever be so feted, joining Steve Fuller and Banks McFadden.

Spiller will lead his former team through its “Tiger Walk” to the stadium.