Last Updated on September 14, 2010 9:23 pm by Anthony Rome
Maryland vs. West Virginia Preview
Morgantown, WV – After meeting every year from 1980-2007, Maryland and West Virginia are renewing their annual rivalry.
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The No. 21 Mountaineers look to win their fifth straight matchup with the Terrapins when these unbeaten teams play Saturday in Morgantown.
“They’re 2-0 and we’re 2-0,” Maryland defensive lineman Drew Gloster said. “There is a good rivalry between us. We are just looking forward to the opportunity to be 3-0.”
Maryland has faced West Virginia more than any other non-conference opponent, with the Mountaineers leading the series 23-21-2.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the West Virginia –10 point spread favorites for Saturday’s game against the Maryland. Current NCAA Public Betting Information shows that 64% of more than 941 bets for this game have been placed on the Maryland +10.
It’s clear that this rivalry means plenty to both sides. The teams haven’t met since the Mountaineers won 31-14 in 2007, but this contest starts a stretch of at least eight straight matchups since the schools announced Monday they will meet through the 2017 season.
“We gotta get ready for a border war,” West Virginia coach Bill Stewart said. “Maryland is back on the schedule.”
The Mountaineers haven’t lost to the Terps since a 41-7 defeat in the Gator Bowl at the end of the 2003 season, averaging 303.5 rushing yards over the last four meetings under former coach Rich Rodriguez.
The approach should be different this time under Stewart, with a more balanced attack built around the tandem of quarterback Geno Smith and tailback Noel Devine.
While Devine has gained 223 yards on the ground in 2010, Smith has added a new dimension to the offense. He completed 32 of 45 passes for 316 yards – the third-highest total in the last nine seasons for the Mountaineers – in a 24-21 overtime victory at Marshall last Friday.
West Virginia was down 21-6 in the fourth quarter before Smith engineered touchdown drives of 96 and 98 yards.
“I’m always extremely confident in myself,” Smith said. “This is something that I’ve done numerous times throughout high school.”
Confidence doesn’t seem to be a problem for a Maryland team that has already matched its win total of last year. The Terrapins are trying to move to 3-0 for the first time since starting 7-0 in 2001, coach Ralph Friedgen’s first year.
“I think this team has a chance to be very good. I’ve said that all along,” Friedgen said. “And what I see happening is just what I thought.”
The Terps are hoping a full week of practice pays off after winning twice in a six-day span, beating Navy 17-14 on Sept. 6 and dominating FCS foe Morgan State 62-3 on Saturday in their home opener.
Maryland is faring better in its second season under defensive coordinator Don Brown, who believes his players are starting to adjust to his aggressive scheme. Sophomore lineman Joe Vellano has 2 1/2 sacks after registering none last year.
Friedgen will continue to employ both Jamarr Robinson and Danny O’Brien at quarterback. Robinson, the starter, threw for two touchdowns last week, and O’Brien had three TDs among his five completions before leaving with an ankle injury that is not expected to cause him to miss action.
“I think it’s a good problem to have,” tight end Matt Furstenburg said. “If anyone ever gets injured, we know we have someone who is capable of leading this offense. Plus, it leads to great competition, which makes everyone else step their game up.”
West Virginia’s defense suffered a blow Tuesday when Stewart suspended starting cornerback Brandon Hogan indefinitely after a drunken driving arrest – his second run-in with police in five months.
The senior has 25 career starts and ranks fourth on the team with 11 tackles this season.
The Mountaineers have won 14 straight nonconference home games.
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