Georgia Tech @ Maryland preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 8, 2011 ) Maryland 16, Georgia Tech 21

Freshman linebacker Shawn Petty will start at quarterback for Maryland when the Terrapins host Georgia Tech on Saturday. Maryland freshman Caleb Rowe became the fourth signal-caller to go down this season - the third with a torn ACL - in last week's 20-17 loss at Boston College. Senior C.J. Brown was injured during non-contact drills Aug. 15 and two others - freshman Perry Hills and Devin Burns (foot) - went down in a 20-18 loss to North Carolina State on Oct. 20. The Yellow Jackets have lost four of their last five games, including a 41-17 setback to Brigham Young last week as they continue to struggle on defense.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network, ESPN3.com. LINE: Georgia Tech -7.5

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (3-5, 2-3 ACC): Senior Tevin Washington, who has attempted only 91 passes this season, leads the option offense with 481 yards rushing and his 15 touchdowns are tied for third in the country and lead FBS quarterbacks. Coach Paul Johnson, though, may instead start freshman Vad Lee, who has four touchdowns among his 35 carries in six games and is 11-of-22 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Yellow Jackets have the No. 4 rushing attack in the nation at 311.8 yards, but will face the country's No. 4 rushing defense (77.6), which is also third at 2.3 yards allowed per rush. Georgia Tech averages 5.8 yards per carry.

ABOUT MARYLAND (4-4, 2-2): Freshman tight end Brian McMahon will back up Petty, who was an all-county selection as a high school quarterback. With the No. 115 rushing attack in the nation among the 120 FBS teams at 91.4 yards per game, Petty may be forced to try to exploit Georgia Tech's No. 97 pass defense. Freshman sensation Stefon Diggs, who had 11 catches for 152 yards and a touchdown last week, is averaging 17.5 yards on his 38 receptions with four TDs and also returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score. With games at Clemson and against No. 7 Florida looming, Maryland is in danger of not qualifying for a bowl game for the second straight season and third time in the last four years.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Maryland's average margin of victory is 5.5 points; it's average loss 4.5.

2. Georgia Tech has recorded at least one interception in seven consecutive games

3. The Yellow Jackets lead the series 14-6 and have won four of the last five meetings, including a 21-16 victory last season in Atlanta. Five of the last seven encounters have been decided by five points or less.

PREDICTION: Maryland 23, Georgia Tech 21