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Clemson, Maryland both need a win in ACC showdown

Oct 31, 2006 - 9:12 PM Maryland (6-2) at No. 19 Clemson (7-2), 12:00 pm EST

CLEMSON, South Carolina (Ticker) - Maryland takes on Clemson on Saturday in "Death Valley." The loser likely will see its chances at an Atlantic Coast Conference title killed.

One of three teams tied for the lead in the ACC Atlantic, the Terrapins look to keep pace with Boston College and Wake Forest when they visit the 19th-ranked Tigers.

The Terrapins (6-2, 3-1 ACC Atlantic) will find themselves in a tie for the division lead with a win Saturday, as the Eagles and Demon Deacons meet in another key ACC battle. Maryland has games left with both Boston College and Wake Forest.

Maryland has won three straight games by a total of 11 points since a 27-23 loss to Georgia Tech on October 7. The Terrapins are coming off a 27-24 win over Florida State.

Clemson (7-2, 4-2 Atlantic) had a disappointing 24-7 loss at Virginia Tech last Thursday. The Tigers entered that game coming off an impressive 31-7 thrashing of Georgia Tech but were not the same team against the Hokies.

The Tigers managed only eight first downs and almost no offense after a first-quarter touchdown. James Davis and C.J. Spiller combined to run for only 71 yards on 22 carries while Branden Ore gashed the Clemson defense for 203 yards and a pair of TDs.

Clemson has won the last two games in the series and has a 29-23-2 overall edge. Last season, the Tigers scored 14 points in the final 7:35 to post a 28-24 victory.