» Sept. 1 vs. Villanova, 6: Last year’s game against Division I-AA William & Mary was a scare for the Terps, who pulled out a 27-14 win. Villanova, a member of the Colonial Athletic Association, went 6-5 last season. The Terps lead the all-time series, 8-2, including a 7-3 win in 1980 — the teams’ most recent meeting.

» Sept. 8 at Florida International, 7: Maryland edged FIU, 14-10, in College Park last season after preventing FIU from scoring on the game’s final play. It will be imperative the Terrapins’ offense plays much better this time.

» Sept. 22 at Wake Forest*, TBA: Wake Forest’s 38-24 win at Maryland last year crushed the Terps’ chances of playing in the ACC Title game. Maryland’s defense must shut down the run and pressure QB Riley Skinner (2,051 yards, 9 TDs ) if it’s to defeat the defending conference champions on the road.

» Sept. 29 at Rutgers, TBA: Maryland will face another tough test in its final nonconference game of the season. Rutgers went 11-2 last season and features RB Ray Rice, who rushed for 1,794 yards–second-most in the country last year–and enters his junior season as a Heisman Trophy candidate.

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» Oct. 6 vs. Georgia Tech*, TBA: Talented WR Calvin Johnson is now in the NFL, but Maryland will still have a tough time avenging last year’s 27-23

loss. The Yellow Jackets outrushed the Terps last year, 229-92.

» Oct. 20 vs. Virginia*, TBA: This year’s Homecoming game against the rival Cavaliers is a must-win. If not for Erin Henderson’s 45-yard interception return last year, the Terps would have lost to one of the conference’s worst teams.

» Oct. 27 vs. Clemson*, TBA: The second in a string of three straight pivotal games. A victory against Clemson could be the difference between playing in a bowl game or failing to qualify for the postseason for the third time in the past four seasons. Maryland won last year’s game, 13-12, in South Carolina, but must rush for more than 54 yards to defeat the much-improved Tigers this year.

» Nov. 3 at North Carolina*, TBA: North Carolina should be better than it was last year when it went 3-9, but Maryland can’t overlook this game. The Terrapins should be able to take advantage of a defense that allowed opponents to rush for an average of 172.8 yards per game last season.

» Nov. 10 vs. Boston College*, TBA: Mistakes by QB Sam Hollenbach cost the Terrapins a chance to defeat the Eagles in Chesnut Hill, Mass., last year. Maryland can’t give the Eagles any extra chances this year — particularly early. Last year against Boston College, the Terps surrendered a 14-point lead early and were outrushed, 124-73.

» Nov. 17 at Florida State*, TBA: Jeremy Navarre’s blocked field goal as

time expired preserved the Terps’ 27-24 win over the Seminoles last fall. Maryland’s three passing touchdowns were key, but it must hold FSU’s rushing attack to fewer than 172 yards this time around.

» Nov. 24 at North Carolina State*, TBA: The Wolfpack’s backfield of

juniors Andre Brown and Toney Baker will be a big test for Maryland’s

defense. It will be imperative the Terrapins control the line of scrimmage if they are to win a game that could have huge bowl game ramifications.

*Denotes ACC game

Predicted Record: 7-5

GAME OF THE YEAR

» Sept. 13 vs. West Virginia, 7:45: The Terps’ season would be altered dramatically with a victory over the Mountaineers, a team that is considered a contender for the national championship. Last year, Mountaineers RB Steve Slaton ran wild for 214 yards and two touchdowns as West Virginia crushed Maryland, 45-24, in Morgantown.

IF YOU GO

» Stadium: Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium (51,500)

» Tickets: Adults: $42, Youth: $25