Wahoo Wire

Virginia travels to Maryland on Saturday in search of its third straight win and a .500 record. With a victory, the Cavaliers can improve to 2-0 in ACC play and can claim their third triumph in a row over the Terrapins.

Maryland (2-4, 1-1) has struggled so far this season; both Terps wins came against teams with losing records (James Madison in overtime and Clemson) by only three points. They have dropped decisions to California (52-13), Rutgers (34-13), Wake Forest (42-32), and most embarrassingly, Middle Tennessee State (32-31). Maryland has yet to keep an opponent under 21 points in a game this season.

Still, though Virginia may be hot and Maryland may be slumping, no game should be considered easy for the Cavaliers. The 0-3 start is all the evidence anybody needs for that. Additionally, running back Mikell Simpson is listed as doubtful for the 4 PM contest. Simpson scored 4 TD’s in last weeks romp over Indiana before a 3rd quarter injury and is a key piece of the Wahoos’ new spread offense. To compensate, the Virginia defense will have to be on top of its game, just as it was against Indiana and North Carolina.

The Cavaliers are certainly in a good position to leave College Park with a win, but if they fail to do so, hopes of a bowl and contending in the ACC will begin to fade very quickly. A victory at Byrd Stadium would certainly be another step in the right direction towards turning the 2009 season around.