Boston College @ Maryland preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Maryland 24, Boston College 21

THE STORY: This is a matchup of teams headed in the wrong direction. Maryland has lost three straight and five of six after a season-opening win against Miami, and Boston College has a pair of three-game losing streaks. Uncertainty at the quarterback position has doomed the Terrapins, who have been using both Danny O’Brien and C.J. Brown. The Eagles know who their quarterback is — Chase Rettig — but he’s leading an offense that ranks 107th nationally. Maryland is 3-5 all-time against Boston College.

TV: None. Line: Maryland -7.5

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (1-6, 0-4 ACC): Boston College’s offensive struggles continued in last week’s 30-14 loss at Virginia Tech. It marked the sixth time in seven games that the Eagles scored fewer than 20 points and it was the second straight game in which they lost by at least two touchdowns. The defense hasn’t been much better, but it did put together a strong first half against Virginia Tech. Led by Luke Kuechly, who recorded 10 or more tackles for the 29th straight game, the Eagles held the Hokies to just two first-half field goals before coming unglued in the third quarter.

ABOUT MARYLAND (2-5, 1-3 ACC): Brown has started the last two games for Maryland, but head coach Randy Edsall said naming a starter will be a game-time decision. That could make preparation difficult for Boston College, since Brown and O’Brien have contrasting styles. Brown, an excellent runner, left last week’s game against Florida State early in the second half after absorbing a hard hit by Nigel Bradham. Maryland’s defense has allowed 97 points in the last two games, including 41 in last week’s 25-point loss against the Seminoles. Florida State racked up 482 yards of total offense, including 218 on the ground.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Maryland defeated Boston College 24-21 last year and is seeking back-to-back wins against the Eagles for the first time in history.

2. The last four meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less.

3. Edsall served as a defensive backs coach at Boston College from 1991 to 1993.

PREDICTION: Maryland 27, Boston College 17 – The Terps will get things turned around, at least for a week, against an Eagles team that has demonstrated minimal potential in a forgettable season.