Maryland @ Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 5, 2011 ) Virginia 31, Maryland 13

Virginia needs to get hot after losing four in a row, but preparations for Saturday’s home game with Maryland took an unexpected twist when a roof at its under-construction practice facility caught fire Monday. Virginia has allowed 42.3 points during its losing streak. Maryland shook off a two-game slide last week, edging Wake Forest 19-14. The Terrapins rank seventh in total defense nationally and have held four of their five opponents to less than 300 yards of total offense. Points may be at a premium as both teams rank near the bottom of the conference in scoring (Virginia 10th, Maryland 12th).

TV: 3 p.m. ET., CSN, ACC Regional Network, ESPN3.com. LINE: Virginia -2

ABOUT MARYLAND (3-2, 1-0 ACC Atlantic): Opponents have found the going to be difficult against the Terrapins’ front seven. Sparked by senior linemen Joe Vellano and A.J. Francis, and senior linebacker Demetrius Hartsfield, Maryland is allowing only 2.3 yards per rush (third nationally). Hartsfield was named ACC Linebacker of the Week, making a big sack late against Wake Forest. Freshman wide receiver Stefon Diggs has posted consecutive 100-yard games, catching five passes for 105 yards last week. Diggs has earned conference Rookie of the Week honors the past two weeks, and ranks second in the ACC and 19th nationally in all-purpose yards per game (154.8).

ABOUT VIRGINIA (2-4, 0-2 ACC Coastal): Senior running back Perry Jones has been a bright spot on offense for the Cavaliers. He needs only 11 receiving yards to become the second active player in the country with 1,000 career yards rushing and receiving. The Cavaliers rank last in the nation in turnover margin (-12) with three forced turnovers in six games. Virginia’s running game has shown signs of getting on track; the Cavaliers are averaging 165 yards per game the past three contests. Senior linebacker Steve Greer recorded 10 tackles against Duke last week, his 10th career double-digit output.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Don’t expect a ton of offense in the third quarter. The Cavaliers have not scored in the third quarter in their past four games, while the Terrapins have three third-quarter points this season.

2. Virginia sophomore quarterback Phillip Sims passed for 268 yards in his first career start last week.

3. Maryland leads the series 42-32-2, although Virginia has won four of the past five meetings.

PREDICTION: Maryland 17, Virginia 13