Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

FACTS & STATS: Site: FedExField (82,000) -- Landover, Maryland. Television: NBC. Home Record: Maryland 2-5, Notre Dame 3-2. Away Record: Maryland 0-2, Notre Dame 3-1. Neutral Record: Maryland 0-0, Notre Dame 0-0. Conference Record: Maryland 1-5, Notre Dame 0-0. Series Record: Notre Dame leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: Non-conference foes will clash at FedEx Field in Landover this Saturday, as the Maryland Terrapins take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Maryland is desperate for a victory, as the team has suffered five consecutive defeats to fall to 2-7 overall and 1-5 in ACC action. The Terps were no match for Virginia last time out, falling by a 31-13 final in front of a deflated home crowd. That defeat put an end to the bowl hopes of Randy Edsall, the first-year head coach of the team.

Notre Dame, which is considered the home team here despite the close proximity to Maryland's campus, has won six of its last seven games, including two in a row, since dropping two straight to open the campaign. Last weekend, the Fighting Irish knocked off Wake Forest on the road by a 24-17 final. Brian Kelly's club is bowl eligible and picking up steam as it approaches the much- anticipated regular season finale with Stanford.

Notre Dame won the only previous meeting with Maryland, blanking the Terps in a 22-0 decision at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey back in 2002.

Taking a look at last week's clash with Virginia, Maryland managed to post 353 total yards, 241 of which came from the arm of QB Danny O'Brien. Unfortunately, he completed just 16 of his 36 pass attempts and was intercepted twice. Quintin McCree did make seven catches for 117 yards in the setback, while teammate Kerry Boykins finished with six grabs for 101 yards. Those stats were overshadowed by a poor defensive showing, however, as the Terps were victimized for 527 total yards and four touchdowns by the Cavaliers. Maryland was weak against both the run and the pass.

Maryland is averaging 22.8 ppg this season while racking up 379.1 total ypg. The Terps have scored 22 offensive touchdowns split evenly between the run and the pass. Davin Meggett is a player to watch, as he has run for 677 yards and three touchdowns. O'Brien has completed a modest 55.5 percent of his passes for 1,516 yards with six touchdowns and nine interceptions, numbers that certainly will not scare the Irish, or any team for that matter.

Defensively, the Terps are yielding 31.0 ppg and 447.2 total ypg. The have plenty of room for improvement against both the run and the pass, as they are permitting 4.9 rushing ypc and 12.1 yards per pass completion. It is certainly impressive that they have already posted 23 takeaways, including 13 fumble recoveries, but the negatives have clearly outweighed the positives. Cameron Chism has intercepted three passes thus far, tying him for the team lead with Dexter McDougle.

The Fighting Irish can move the ball and score points consistently, as evidenced by their 32.3 ppg and 428.3 total ypg. They are led by QB Tommy Rees, who has completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 2,096 yards and 17 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. He obviously benefits from the presence of star wideout Michael Floyd, who has 68 receptions for 832 yards and six scores. As for the ground attack, Cierre Woods has rushed for 808 yards and eight TDs.

The Notre Dame defense will likely have to play this contest without star linebacker Manti Te'o, who injured his ankle last time out and is listed as doubtful. A semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, Te'o has posted 87 total tackles, including 11 TFL. His club is permitting 20.9 ppg and 349.1 total ypg to opponents, and stopping the run has been an obvious strength, as foes are gaining a mere 3.9 yards per carry with just five rushing scores. There is room for improvement against the pass, as UND has permitted 15 aerial TDs with just six interceptions.

Against Wake Forest last week, Notre Dame managed to shut out the Demon Deacons in the second half and scored a pair of third-quarter touchdowns to claim the win. Rees threw a pair of interceptions in the clash, but he also tossed a pair of TDs, and the Irish added a rushing score as well.

Notre Dame figures to get the job done this weekend, as the Irish are simply a more talented team than the Terps. Expect a big game from both Rees and Floyd.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Notre Dame 38, Maryland 20