Recent News | Popular News | Subscribe

FACTS & STATS: Site: Byrd Stadium (48,055) -- College Park, Maryland. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: Clemson 2-1, Maryland 1-2. Away Record: Clemson 0-1, Maryland 0-1. Neutral Record: Clemson 0-0, Maryland 0-0. Conference Record: Clemson 1-1, Maryland 0-0. Series Record: Clemson leads, 30-25-2.

GAME NOTES: ACC foes collide in College Park this weekend, as the Maryland Terrapins welcome the Clemson Tigers to town.

Clemson has alternated wins and losses through the first four games of the season, and its 2-2 record includes a 1-1 mark against ACC competition. Last weekend, the Tigers suffered a 14-10 loss to TCU in front of a disappointed home crowd. In three of their four outings, opponents have scored 14 or fewer points, but the 10-point output against the Horned Frogs was clearly their lowest to date.

Saturday's tilt marks the ACC opener for Maryland, which is off to a disappointing 1-3 start. The club's lone victory came over James Madison, an FCS team, in overtime, and the Terps suffered a loss to Middle Tennessee. Last weekend, the home crowd watched in boredom and perhaps embarrassment as Maryland was dismantled by Rutgers in a 34-13 final.

The Tigers own a 30-25-2 series edge over Maryland, but the Terps won last season's matchup, 20-17.

Clemson has attempted 118 passes this season, and Kyle Parker has registered all but three of those throws. He has only completed 54-of-115 attempts, however, and the 47 percent completion rating simply isn't going to cut it. Parker has five touchdowns with four interceptions and has 715 passing yards. Jacoby Ford has been the leading receiver for Clemson in all four outings, and he has 20 catches for 270 yards and two scores thus far. Without question, the most recognizable player on the roster for the Tigers is speedy tailback C.J. Spiller, who has rushed for 288 yards while also hauling in 150 yards worth of passes. In the loss to TCU last weekend, Clemson posted 309 total yards, but the more important number is 10 -- the points scored by the Tigers. Parker completed just 17-of-37 passes for 192 yards, and while he wasn't intercepted, the signal caller didn't throw a touchdown pass. Spiller rushed for 112 yards on 26 attempts with one score, but the offense simply wasn't able to generate points.

While the Tigers are averaging a modest 327.3 ypg, they are limiting opponents to 289.8 ypg. The defense has been impressive, holding opposing quarterbacks to 44.3 percent completions. Against the run, Clemson is yielding a mere 3.8 yards per attempt. DeAndre McDaniel leads the Tigers with 34 total tackles, and Ricky Sapp has six TFLs to his credit, including a pair of sacks. Clemson allowed a pair of passing scores and 388 total yards to TCU last weekend, but it is hard to put too much blame on the offense for the loss. After all, most teams are able to win when their respective defenses allow just 14 points in a given contest. The Tigers were victimized for a 91-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter, and were scored upon again in the final stanza by virtue of a 56-yard march by TCU in five plays.

Against Rutgers, Maryland had two field goals and a touchdown in the first half and held a 13-10 lead at intermission. Unfortunately, the offense was horrendous after the break, scoring zero points en route to the lopsided loss. The Terps finished with only 12 first downs and 28 rushing yards on 24 attempts. Chris Turner had to carry the load with the passing game, and although he did throw for 271 yards and a touchdown, three interceptions undoubtedly hurt Maryland's chances. In fact, one of the picks was returned for a score. The Terps kept possession of the ball for less than 26 minutes and were just 5-of-15 on third down conversion attempts. Maryland is averaging 23.8 ppg through four outings, and the club is gaining 351.8 total ypg. Turner has completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 962 yards, but he has just four touchdowns against five interceptions. Torrey Smith has been the team's best receiver, as he has 18 grabs for 386 yards and two touchdowns. As for D'Rel Scott, he has rushed for 297 yards and three scores.

Sure, Rutgers scored 34 points against Maryland last weekend, but the Terrapins did not play poor defensively. Only two of the four touchdowns posted by the Scarlet Knights were registered by the club's offense. Maryland surrendered a mere 42 passing yards on 4-of-13 efficiency, and while Rutgers did have 207 rushing yards, it took 49 attempts to reach that total. Aside from two touchdown runs covering 29 and 61 yards in the fourth quarter, the Terps played quite well. Opponents are scoring 38.2 ppg against Maryland this season, and the Terps are yielding over 200 ypg both on the ground and through the air. Foes are posting 4.9 yards per rushing attempt and 14.2 yards per pass completion, and both numbers need to come down for Maryland to turn things around. Alex Wujciak has 45 tackles to date for the Terps, and Adrian Moten has posted 34 stops, including 4.5 TFLs.

This game is the fourth straight at home for Maryland, which is desperate for a victory. Don't expect the Terps to finish on top, however, as Clemson's Spiller will be too tough to contain.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Clemson 34, Maryland 21