Florida State @ Maryland preview
Byrd Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 22, 2011 ) Maryland 16, Florida State 41
Florida State remains on target to secure a berth in the ACC championship game for the second time in three years. To do so, the sixth-ranked Seminoles will need to secure their second five-game winning streak of the season on Saturday when it visits injury-riddled Maryland. Florida State can't afford any missteps, as was almost the case in its last game before EJ Manuel tossed a 39-yard touchdown pass to Rashad Greene with 40 seconds remaining to secure a 28-22 triumph over Virginia Tech on Nov. 8. The Seminoles boast the FBS' best defense (242.9 yards per game) and will present a difficult challenge for Maryland, which mustered a season-low 180 total yards in its 45-10 setback to Clemson last week.
TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Florida State -31
ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (9-1, 6-1 ACC): For all of the positives, the Seminoles' recent rushing game leaves a bit to be desired. With Chris Thompson sidelined for the season with a knee injury, Florida State registered minus-15 yards against Virginia Tech. James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freeman are expected to shoulder the load in Thompson's absence. The offensive line had additional troubles protecting Manuel, who was sacked five times and had the wind knocked out of him on two occasions.
ABOUT MARYLAND (4-6, 2-4): With season-ending injuries to four others, converted linebacker Shawn Petty is taking his lumps at quarterback. Petty made his second consecutive start last week and threw for only 41 yards while fumbling twice. Fellow freshman Brandon Ross alleviated some of the pressure by rushing for a season-best 100 yards last week. The injuries have derailed what began as a promising season for the Terrapins, who have dropped four in a row - with the last two coming in lopsided fashion.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Florida State posted a 49-37 victory over Clemson on Sept. 22. That win serves as the tiebreaker between the two schools in the Atlantic Division.
2. The Seminoles, who have defeated the Terrapins five straight times and 20 of 22 overall, haven't lost in College Park since 2006.
3. Florida State's Dustin Hopkins is three points shy of besting ex-Boise State star Kyle Brotzman for the most career points by a kicker. Hopkins, who is a Groza Award semifinalist, has 437 points.
PREDICTION: Florida State 42, Maryland 7