WASHINGTON — For the first time since the early 1950s, the Terps will play a conference game that won’t involve the letters A, C or (again) C. We’re almost used to schools trading leagues like shirts. For example, the ACC’s newest member, Louisville, has played in Conference USA, the Big East and the American Athletic Conference (of America) since 2004. There are some old guard Maryland fans who still think of the ACC as one with South Carolina and without Georgia Tech, let alone the Florida schools or ex-Big East teams. Although coach Randy Edsall and his players say that this is just another game, it represents a new era that we’ll be looking back at for years to come. This marks the first step towards a future that could sport a 70,000 seat Byrd Stadium…or one that turns the Terps into Rutgers-South. Not that just one game makes or breaks a future, but the first step has to head somewhere.
Maryland at Indiana
Both teams are coming off road wins, but not all road wins are created equal. The Terps topped a Syracuse team that couldn’t get out of its own way — while the Hoosiers upset #18 Missouri in Columbia. IU boasts a solid ground attack (310 yards per game and 6 yards a carry) led by Tevin Coleman, while the Terrapin D has had issues stopping the run (212 ypg against FBS schools) this fall. CJ Brown is coming off his best game of the season and looks to exploit a Hoosiers defense that allowed 45 points to Bowling Green.
Terps triumph, 35-28.
Virginia Tech vs Western Michigan
The Hokies need to get their act together before this year dissolves into a scraping-to-six-wins world. The 12 penalties they committed last week against Georgia Tech give VT 40 for the season. Michael Brewer tossed three interceptions last week, and one has to wonder if he’ll be the long-term solution or just a short-term problem in Blacksburg. The visiting Broncos can put points on the scoreboard — after posting 34 in a week one loss to Purdue, WMU’s scored 45 points in consecutive weeks.
Hokies hold on, 38-26.
Virginia vs Kent StateM
The Cavaliers know full well how good teams from the Mid-American Conference can be after losing last year to Ball State by 21. This year, UVA has played very well against elite competition, beating Louisville and losing one- possession games to a pair of teams currently in the top 20 (BYU & UCLA), looking much better than the 2013 dumpster-fire. Greyson Lambert is a question mark with an ankle injury, but don’t worry — coach Mike London isn’t averse to using only Matt Johns against the Golden Flashes. Despite playing his way out of the starting job last year, David Watford remains an option
