No. 25 Maryland (4-0, 0-0 ACC) at No. 8 Florida State (4-0, 2-0 ACC)
Florida State leads the series, 2-21 (Last meeting: November 17, 2012: Florida State 41, Maryland 14)
The first game of the year between two ranked ACC teams takes place this weekend in Tallahassee when Florida State hosts Maryland. The key matchup will be when Florida State has the ball and the fourth ranked offense in the country (51.3 points-per-game) goes up against the third ranked defense (10.3 points-per-game).
Maryland hits the road after cruising through nonconference play undefeated at 4-0. The Terps had an extra week to prepare as they had a bye week following their 37-0 thrashing of West Virginia. Senior quarterback C.J. Brown is leading the ACC in total offense (331.5 ypg) which is also good for 12th nationally. Sophomore kicker Brad Cradock leads the nation with 2.5 field goals per game this season. Maryland’s defense will be put to its first real test this season in Florida State who ranks ninth in total offense (540.3 yards per game). The three previous offenses they faced ranked no higher than 78th nationally.
Florida State kicks off its toughest stretch of the season this weekend against Maryland. The Seminoles face every team currently ranked in the ACC in their next four games: hosting No. 25 Maryland and No. 14 Miami and traveling to No. 3 Clemson, in addition to hosting a NC State team that is off to a 3-1 start. Florida State’s high octane offense has been led by redshirt freshmen quarterback Jameis Winston. Winston ranks second in the country in yards-per-completion (11.5) and is top five in his completion percentage (73.6). The Seminoles may have an advantage on the outside this weekend as both of Maryland’s starting cornerbacks will be out with injuries, and the starting wide receivers hold a combined eleven inch height advantage over the replacement cornerbacks. Florida State’s defense will look to rebound after giving up 34 points to Boston College last weekend.
Extra Point
-Maryland is 12-32-1 all time in the Sunshine State and 0-11 at Doak Campbell Stadium.
