FACTS & STATS: Site: Byrd Stadium (51,500) -- College Park, Maryland. Television: None. Home Record: EMU 1-1, Maryland 2-0. Away Record: EMU 0-1, Maryland 0-1. Neutral Record: EMU 0-0, Maryland 0-0. Conference Record: EMU 0-1, Maryland 0-0. Series Record: Maryland leads, 3-0.

GAME NOTES: The Eastern Michigan Eagles head to College Park to take on the Maryland Terrapins in a non-conference clash. Entering the season, there was plenty of reason for optimism at EMU, where 15 starters returned from last year's squad. But after back-to-back lopsided losses, things aren't looking very promising. Last weekend, the Eagles opened their MAC schedule with a 41-17 home loss to Toledo. Ralph Friedgen's Terps enter this game brimming with confidence after knocking off then 23rd-ranked California. Unfortunately for the Terps, their season was sidetracked one week earlier when they lost by double digits to Middle Tennessee, yet another disappointing early-season loss by an ACC team. This will be the final non-conference game of the season for Maryland. The Terps hold a 3-0 edge in the head-to-head series with EMU, although the teams haven't met since 2003.

EMU quarterback Andy Schmitt got the hook after an early interception last week. Sophomore Kyle McMahon came in to finish the game, completing 11-of-18 passes for 128 yards and a pick. He also carried 14 times for 61 yards. Dwayne Priest led the rushing attack with 80 yards on 13 carries, while Terrence Blevins logged just 21 yards on 15 carries, though he did score both touchdowns. The Eagles were plagued by turnovers throughout the game, as they lost three fumbles in addition to the two interceptions. The Eagles don't exactly have dynamic playmakers on offense, so it's imperative they take care of the football.

Eastern Michigan trailed by only a 14-7 margin at the half. However, the defense didn't come out of the locker room with the same intensity, and the result was 27 unanswered points by Toledo in the third quarter -- game over. The Rockets' ground game gave EMU fits, as they ran for 233 yards and three touchdowns while averaging a robust 6.5 ypc. With the running game working so well, Toledo didn't need to pass all that much. Rockets quarterback Aaron Opelt only completed eight passes, but he averaged better than 14 yards per completion, and three of those went for touchdowns. Until the Eagles tighten up their run defense, they'll be climbing an uphill battle.

Quarterback is the one unsettled position on the Maryland offense. Senior Jordan Steffy started the opener, although he wasn't particularly effective, completing just 10-of-18 passes for 115 yards and two INTs. He is out of action with a torn ligament in his right thumb. Chris Turner has started the last two games, and he is averaging 124.7 ypg while completing 58 percent of his passes. He looked real comfortably in the win over Cal, completing 15- of-19 passes for 156 yards and two TDs. He completed passes to eight different receivers. Da'Rel Scott and Davin Meggett combined for 171 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

The Terrapin defense did a fine job against the Golden Bears, who scored three touchdowns in the final seven minutes, when the game was already decided. It's worth noting that Cal did enter the game after thumping Washington State, 66-3. Maryland was downright stubborn against the run, allowing only 38 yards on 23 attempts. But the Terps didn't have as much success against Cal quarterback Kevin Riley, who piled up 423 yards and three TDs in a school- record 58 attempts. Still, he was sacked five times. It's tough to gauge how much of that performance can be credited to the play of Maryland's defense, or to the ineptitude of Cal's offense, which was making its first journey to the East Coast since 2001.

As bad a knock as the ACC has gotten in the early going, the Eagles appear to be going nowhere. As long as the Terps win the turnover battle, they should be able to win this one rather easily at home.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Maryland 42, Eastern Michigan 17

Saturday, September 20th, 1:00 p.m. (et).