Maryland @ West Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2011 ) West Virginia 37, Maryland 31

Maryland may not have enough experience on offense to be a major factor as the season goes on, but the Terrapins are playing solid defense. That unit, ranked sixth in the nation against the pass, may not have a more difficult challenge on the schedule than when it plays at West Virginia on Saturday. The seventh-ranked Mountaineers scored 70 points to beat Clemson in the Orange Bowl last season and have put up 111 in their first two games of 2012. Senior quarterback Geno Smith has completed an amazing 88 percent of his passes in victories over Marshall and James Madison, throwing for 734 yards. The Terrapins are giving up less than 125 yards per game through the air and allowing 2.58 yards per carry through three games. However, Smith did register 388 yards passing in a 37-31 victory at Maryland last year.

TV: Noon ET, FX. LINE: West Virginia -27

ABOUT MARYLAND (2-1): The Terrapins have allowed between 223 and 230 yards in three contests. Linebacker Demetrius Hartsfield, the active ACC tackles leader (286, 26 this year), has been a key and the return of strong safety Matt Robinson from a shoulder injury makes the defense stronger. Maryland must get more efficient offensively, although freshman quarterback Perry Hills has one interception since having three picked off in the opener. The Terrapins have 10 turnovers, all made by true freshmen. Freshman receiver Stefon Diggs is fast becoming Maryland’s top threat, averaging 147 yards of total offense - second in the ACC.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (2-0): Smith has put himself in the middle of the Heisman Trophy race with nine touchdown passes and just nine incomplete passes (66 of 75) through two games. Veterans Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin have combined to catch 43 passes for 443 yards and seven touchdowns to give him two prime targets. Shawne Alston has also rushed for 185 yards on 30 carries. The Mountaineers will have to play better defense after allowing 845 yards – 545 against Marshall. West Virginia has to avoid looking ahead to its Big 12 Conference debut against Baylor at home on Sept. 29 and a trip to No. 10 Texas on Oct. 6.

EXTRA POINTS

1. West Virginia has won the last six meetings to take a 25-21-2 lead in the series, which dates to 1919.

2. Maryland has used 12 true freshmen, ninth most among FBS schools. West Virginia has used 10.

3. West Virginia is 98-97-5 against the ACC.

PREDICTION: West Virginia 34, Maryland 14.