11-12-2003, 08:18 PM
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Posted on Wed, Nov. 12, 2003
Terps, Cavaliers Jockey for Bowl Berths
DAVID GINSBURG
Associated Press
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - They opened the season with two losses, stumbled in a 7-3 loss to Georgia Tech and haven't been in the Top 25 since August.
And yet, the Maryland Terrapins are still in position to earn a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference title and play in a bowl game on New Year's Day.
"The way this ACC is playing out, anybody can end up anywhere," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said. "We're not out of winning the ACC, but we've got to win Thursday night."
The Terrapins (6-3, 3-2) must beat Virginia (5-4, 3-3) to remain in contention for the ACC crown. If first-place Florida State clinches the title with a win over North Carolina State on Saturday, Maryland can still finish second by winning its final three games.
Problem is, Friedgen has no idea which Maryland team will show up Thursday night.
Will it be the one that showed flashes of brilliance in wins over West Virginia and Clemson? Or the one that appeared lethargic and uninterested in losses to Northern Illinois and Georgia Tech?
Friedgen long ago gave up trying to figure out this team's identity.
"I think that's going to be defined in the next couple of weeks," he said.
The process begins against the Cavaliers, who have experienced a season much like Maryland's. Since a 4-1 start, Virginia has lost three of four.
There is no reason for despair, however. Despite their uneven play, the Cavaliers are closing in on another bowl bid.
"There's still a lot out there to be achieved for a lot of teams," Virginia coach Al Groh said. "Around here, we don't really talk about this one leads to that one. All we really think about is what do we have to do to beat this team."
Virginia has certainly done enough of that in recent years, winning 12 of the last 15 meetings in a rivalry that began in 1919.
A year ago, Maryland needed a victory over Virginia to keep pace with Florida State atop the ACC. The Cavaliers trailed 7-0 after the first period, then rolled to a 48-13 rout that ended the Terrapins' eight-game winning streak and left Friedgen with a lasting, bitter memory.
"It still bothers me," he said.
The Cavaliers haven't forgotten that game, either. Despite the victory, Virginia ended up playing in the Continental Tire Bowl while Maryland got a bid to the more prestigious Peach Bowl.
This is the last meeting between the teams before the league expands next season, but Groh believes the new-look ACC won't have an impact on an old rivalry.
"Historically, it's always been one of the more significant rivalries for each team," he said. "I'm sure we'll continue that way under the new alignment, because of the large amount of games played between the two teams and the proximity of the two states."