West Virginia @ Maryland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2012 ) Maryland 21, West Virginia 31

Maryland and West Virginia renew their annual border rivalry on neutral territory when they meet at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday. The Terrapins are off to their best start since 2001 thanks to a sizzling offense that has produced over 500 total yards in three consecutive contests. The Mountaineers are seeking their first win against an FBS squad this season with redshirt freshman Ford Childress making his second career start at quarterback.

Childress set a school record for most passing yards by a freshman (359) and threw for three touchdowns in a 41-7 drubbing of Georgia State last week, but will be challenged by a Maryland defense that leads the nation in sacks (14) and ranks sixth nationally with six interceptions. Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown is a dual threat, who has been responsible for at least one rushing TD and one passing TD in each of the first three games. The turnover battle will be key as the Mountaineers have forced at least one in nine consecutive games while the Terrapins have committed at least two turnovers in every contest this season, including three in last week's 32-21 victory over Connecticut.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Maryland -5.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (2-1): Childress was named the team's quarterback against Georgia State after previous starter Paul Milliard directed the offense to one passing TD in the Mountaineers' first two contests. West Virginia boasts the nation's No. 16 scoring defense, allowing only 13.3 points per game. Charles Sims and Dreamius Smith combine for a potent one-two punch in the backfield with 156.7 yards rushing per game and four TDs between them.

ABOUT MARYLAND (3-0): Brown leads an offense that ranks first nationally in the red zone and has scored in all 12 opportunities inside the 20-yard line this season. Stefon Diggs ranks sixth in Division I with 129 yards receiving per game and has a TD catch in each of the first three games. Placekicker Brad Craddock has converted on 7-of-8 field goal attempts and kickoff returner William Likely ranks third in the nation with 38.3 yards per return.

EXTRA POINTS

1. West Virginia holds a 26-21-2 advantage in the all-time series which began in 1919.

2. The Mountaineers have won the last seven games of the series, but the Terrapins won the last neutral-site contest - a 41-7 victory in the Gator Bowl.

3. Maryland is one of only three teams in the nation that has compiled 500 or more yards of total offense in their first three games of the season. Oregon and California are the other two.

PREDICTION: Maryland 30, West Virginia 17