West Virginia and Maryland have become border rivals the last several seasons.  Since Rich Rodriguez and Ralph Friedgen have taken over their respective programs both have been on the rise in the national scene.  This season Maryland looks to get back on track and challenge for an ACC championship and a BCS bowl bid, and what better way to start it off then by beating a nationally ranked rival on national television.

Last season West Virginia dominated Maryland from start to finish.  Pat White and Steve Slaton dazzled the crowd in Morgantown and Darius Reynaud topped it off with a monster kickoff return just before halftime.  Maryland will be looking to turn the tide after three consecutive losses to the Mountaineers.

The Terrapins appear to have more speed on both sides of the ball this season but have yet to show it against two lower tier opponents in Florida International and Villanova.  The run defense was solid for the Terps and will have to be again if they want to slow down a potent West Virginia rushing attack.  West Virginia has had slow starts against Western Michigan and Marshall, but has come back strong in the second half to rush for over 300 yards in each game.  Maryland will likely need to shut down the West Virginia rushing offense early and take advantage if they hope to stay in the game.

Carlos Feliciano and Dre Moore are big run stoppers on the line and linebacker Erin Henderson is a tackling machine.  The Mountaineers will have to keep an eye on these three playmakers and take advantage of a mediocre secondary if they hope to win on the road at Byrd Stadium.

Mountaineer quarterback Pat White has not needed to pass the ball much this early in the season but has shown the capability to do so when necessary.  If Maryland’s run defense steps up early on and the crowd gets in to the game, the Mountaineers will need to go to the air to keep the defense honest.  This game seems more like a rivalry, at least for those outside the state of West Virginia, than the Marshall game.  West Virginia had its troubles in the first half against Marshall, and although Maryland’s offense hasn’t exactly been a juggernaut this season the Mountaineers will need to weather the early storm this Thursday to produce some points a help from getting rattled.

The Maryland offense is lead by sophomore quarterback Jordan Steffy who has been consistent but not spectacular so far this season.  West Virginia’s secondary has shown weaknesses in it’s first two games and Maryland will look to exploit it.  Running back Keon Lattimore has had two solid games rushing for over 100 yards in both.  He has the ability to break the big run or pound out yards.  The West Virginia run defense was solid against Western Michigan but gave up over 100 yards to Marshall.  Which defense shows up for the Mountaineers could decide their fate on Thursday night.

Thursday nights game is slated for a 7:30 start time and will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Prediction:

Maryland will get on top 7-0 early behind the tenacity of the crowd and the night game atmosphere.  Once Slaton and White settle in to their groove and the defense makes a few stops, the Mountaineers should take the lead for good.  Steve Slaton will rush over the century mark for the third straight game this season, and Pat White will be consistent through the air and on the ground.  Noel Devine and Jock Sanders will add some support in the ground game and Dorrel Jalloh will come out of his shell and make some nice grabs.  The game should be close at halftime, but West Virginia will again pull away from another opponent in the second half.

WVU – 45 UMD - 20