Battle in the ACC: Maryland vs Florida State Winner Keeps Win Streak Alive

After taking its bye week, undefeated #25 Maryland (4-0) will try to extend its perfect season against #8 Florida State (4-0, 2-0) on Saturday.

In this ACC opener for Maryland, look for a battle between its defense and Florida State’s offense. With their 17 sacks to-date, the Terrapins are tied for the top spot nationally and with eight interceptions, they are tied for No. 8. They will enter Saturday’s game as No. 3 nationally for scoring defense.

In their last game, a September 21 37-0 win against West Virginia (3-2, 1-1), it represented their first shutout since 2008. Maryland’s defense had two interceptions, six forced turnovers and only allowed the Mountaineers 175 yards of total offense.

But the Mountaineers are not the Seminoles and the Terrapins’ defense will face a team that scores 51.2 points per game–No. 4 in the nation. This should be interesting as they’ve been keeping opponents to a 10.3 point average.

The Seminoles have found success with a combined running and passing game and sit at No. 10 nationally with their 531.5 yards per game as they average a minimum of 230 rushing yards and 275 passing yards, according to Stats LLC.

Jameis Winston

For the Seminoles, they have a Heisman-contending quarterback (15/1), Jameis Winston. He sits in the second spot nationally for passing efficiency (209.5) and leads the conference for pass completion percentage (73.6) and touchdown passes (12). One-third of this total came last week in the 48-34 come-from-behind win against Boston College (2-2,1-1).

Seminoles coach Jimmbo Fisher modestly said of his redshirt freshman quarterback, “He’s only four games in. We’ll wait. He’s got a good grasp of things. I like the way he’s playing. And there’s some things he’s got to get better at. He’ll be the first one to tell you. But he’s still making great reads and great plays. He’s developing very well.”

Helping Winston find success is wide receiver Rashad Greene, who been hot scoring touchdowns (one each in the last five consecutive games). In last year’s matchup against Maryland, he had four receptions for 50 yards and one touchdown.

Running back Devonta Freeman leads the team in rushing with his 37 carries for 322 yards and two touchdowns. He is on track for a 1,000-yard season.

This week, the Seminoles will have two defensive players returning from a one-game suspension, defensive end Eddie Goldman and linebacker Christian Jones.

For Maryland, they’re not without their own offensive talent. C.J. Brown is its field general and played against Florida State in last year’s 41-14 loss. This season, he’s only thrown one pick versus seven touchdowns. He has 1,043 yards and a 66.7% completion (No. 8 nationally with his 10.54 yards per pass attempt).

And like many quarterbacks these days, Brown can run and sits as the team’s second-leading rusher with his 45 carries for 283 yards and six touchdowns.

Brown will rely on his wide receiver Stefon Diggs. For the season, he has 18 catches, 400 yards and three touchdowns. For his play in the 2012 game against West Virginia, Mountaineers coach Dana Holmgren referred to him as a Tavon Austin clone.

Thanks to a West Virginia upset over then #11 Oklahoma State, the Terrapins jumped into the Top 25 this week–a first since 2010 with a #23 ranking (pre-coach Randy Edsall days). They’re looking for their first victory in Tallahassee after 11 attempts and overall, they’re 2-21 versus the home team.

Good luck but it won’t happen again this year as Florida State gets the win (-16, 56.5 o/u).

In other ACC Action…

Tajh Boyd

Along with Florida State and Maryland’s 4-0 start, #3 Clemson (4-0, 2-0) joins this small group of undefeated ACC teams. This week, they’ll face Syracuse (2-2). This game represents the first conference one for the Orange and a first meeting against this top-ranked team. They’ll have the home field advantage and experience with upsets (see West Virginia and Louisville), but Clemson will get this first win (-14, 64.5 o/u).