THE MATCHUP

Maryland TerrapinsMiddle Tenn.

Blue Raiders

1-0 (0-0 ACC)1-0 (1-0 SBC)

WHEN: Tomorrow, 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium, College Park

T.V./RADIO: CSN

LINE: Terps -22

LIVE GAME COVERAGE: www.diamondbackonline.com

TERPTRACKER

2006 Team Stats

 TerpsMTN

Passing (ypg)153.083.0

Rushing (ypg)213.092.0

Total (ypg)366.0175.0

Points per game27.07.0

Sacks22

Penalties-Yards1-106-51

WEATHERLY OUT 2 WEEKS

Senior wide receiver Drew Weatherly underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot yesterday, coach Ralph Friedgen said. Weatherly will miss two weeks recovering from surgery.

Weatherly entered the season as the Terps’ most experienced receiver, having played in 17 games and started two.

BETTER THAN PODLESH?

Terp senior Adam Podlesh is among the top punters in ACC history and he has shown the regular ability to pin opponents inside the 20-yard line. Podlesh did that three times last week.

Middle Tennessee punter Colby Smith’s career average doesn’t match Podlesh’s, but Smith crushed a ball last week 79 yards and can be just as dangerous a weapon.

LOOKING AHEAD?

As soon as the Terps’ schedule was released, their national television showdown with West Virginia was circled by experts as a measuring stick. Glancing ahead to Morgantown, W. Va. could be a problem, even against Middle Tennessee.

Coach Ralph Friedgen said when his team faced a short week in 2001, coaches did extra work for Thursday opponent Georgia Tech. His staff has done the same, preparing a little since camp for the Mountaineers.

SERIES RECORDS

ALL-TIME SERIES Terps lead 1-0

LAST MEETING 2000

2000- (A)- W, Terps 45, Middle Tenn. 27

KEY MATCHUP

TERP LINEBACKERS vs. MIDDLE TENNESSEE RB EUGENE GROSS

True, there’s no D’Qwell Jackson in the Terp linebacking corps, but the starting group is quicker and more athletic. Those skills will be tested tomorrow against Blue Raider running back Eugene Gross, who is a threat running the ball and catching it. Gross ran for 762 yards and scored 13 rushing touchdowns last season, while also nabbing a receiving touchdown as the team’s second-leading receiver. Junior linebacker Wesley Jefferson led the Terps in tackles last week and will be central in stopping Gross.

FOUR DOWNS

1. AIR IT OUT

There might not be a need to throw the ball early and often against Middle Tennessee, but it can’t hurt to build up some confidence in the passing game before the Terps’ next game at West Virginia.

Senior quarterback Sam Hollenbach did well with his opportunities last week, guiding the Terps to 27 points and a perfect 5-for-5 mark in the red zone.

2. TAKE THE BALL AWAY

Coach Ralph Friedgen was unhappy last week about his team’s four turnovers, but the Terps also didn’t force any. Against non-conference opponents at home, the Terps should be able to count on the defense to shift the momentum.

The Terps have shown the ability to get key stops and sacks, but they want to snatch interceptions and force fumbles regularly.

3. UNDER PRESSURE

More important than blowing out Middle Tennessee, this is the last chance for the Terps to experience in-game pressure situations before heading to Morgantown, W.Va., Thursday night.

Whether it’s connecting on long-range kicks or making goal-line stands, a Terp team with only 10 seniors needs chances to play in difficult situations – even if it’s not as intense as it will be when playing the Mountaineers.

4. GET ALLEN’S GROOVE BACK

In only six carries last week, senior running back Josh Allen gained 25 yards and shook off some dust from being out 21 months. The Terps didn’t need him to shoulder the load, as Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore split carries and dominated.

But Allen’s burst hasn’t returned yet, and the more in-game work he gets could speed up his progression.

HEAD 2 HEAD

OFFENSE

Clint Marks is among Middle Tennessee State’s all-time leading passers, and running back Eugene Gross has the potential to put up big time yards.

Still, the Terps proved last week they can dominate weaker foes just by running the ball, and the passing game is a bonus.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Blue Raider senior punter Colby Smith might give the Terps’ Adam Podlesh some competition this week. Smith earned conference accolades after drilling a 79-yard punt last week.

Podlesh was great, too, and might need to be again to win tomorrow’s punting battle.

INTANGIBLES

The key for the Terps is not looking past Middle Tennessee to West Virginia.

Sophomore wide receiver Danny Oquendo called Middle Tennessee “a step above William & Mary” but not yet the caliber of the Mountaineers. The Terps might be determined to stomp their opponent this week.

DEFENSE

Against Florida International, Middle Tennessee allowed only six points – impressive even if it was against Florida International.

The Terps let up a bit defensively against William & Mary, but the starters all played well, and some outstanding. And the Terps are itching to force a turnover this week.

COACHING

Coach Ralph Friedgen adjusted as offensive coordinator when the Tribe unveiled some different defesive schemes.

Friedgen has his own philosophies about how to win, but has been unwilling to share those with reporters – not good news for Middle Tennessee.

PREDICTION

MarylandMiddle Tenn.

3410