Da'Rel Scott News

Let's start with the bottom line: Ralph Friedgen expects to coach Maryland's football team next year.

The Eagles are 7-4 while the Terrapins are 2-9 and by all accounts the university is seriously considering putting an end to the Ralph Friedgen era.

TV: Raycom. Weather: 40 percent rain chance, about 70. It's the final home game for longtime Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews , and the Seminoles are playing to become bowl eligible.

As of late Saturday, Friedgen had not heard from athletic director Deborah Yow about his status - but he was aware of rising speculation that he could be fired, said his attorney, Jack Reale.

Presented with an opportunity to collect an elusive victory, Maryland came together Saturday to produce perhaps its most united team effort of the season.

While there are many possible headlines for Saturday's matchup against the Maryland Terrapins, no other story is more pertinent when it comes to the Seminole offense than redshirt freshman EJ Manuel.

The Maryland football team could use some good news this week. The Terrapins have lost five straight and seven of their last eight after a 1-1 start.

On the first play of the second half in the Terrapin football team's 36-9 loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday, Devonte Campbell took a handoff on an end-around. The backup tight end, not known for his ball-carrying skills, gained three yards on the play and then absorbed a bone-crunching tackle by hard-hitting Virginia Tech safety Kam Chancellor.

Say this about the Virginia Tech football program: You know what you're in for when you face the Hokies.

What's the biggest problem with Maryland Terrapins football this year? No stars were available to make plays for them over the course of the season.

Virtually everything about Maryland's quarterback position remains up in the air as the Terrapins prepare to face No.

Maryland quarterback Chris Turner remains questionable for Saturday's game against No.

While the winner of Saturday's Maryland-North Carolina State game faces an uncertain fate the rest of the season, the ramifications for the loser are clear: It will be the first ACC team eliminated from bowl contention and, at least for now, will earn the title as the conference's worst team.

No teams in the conference have struggled as mightily as the two that will collide at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Neither has won a game in more than a month. They have a combined 2-11 record against division I-A teams. Narrow and not-so-narrow defeats, plus injuries, have left both grasping for signs of hope.

Disappointing Terps, Wolfpack Meet sdf Caption By AP, Associated Press , 1 hour, 35 minutes ago Updated: Nov.

There's a striking familiarity in N.C. State football coach Tom O'Brien's tone of voice.

Maryland's ACC title chances are basically kaput. The Terrapins' bowl hopes are on life support at best.

When running back Caleb Porzel and safety Eric Franklin arrived for Maryland's preseason training camp, neither freshman expected to play this season because of an abundance of depth at both positions. But the two 18-year-olds are among 10 freshmen who have already seen action for the beleaguered Terrapins, who are off to their worst start in nine seasons under Coach Ralph Friedgen.

'Here I am as somewhat the starter,' Porzel said.

A youth movement is well underway in College Park. With the Terrapins one loss away from being eliminated from bowl contention, Friedgen is contemplating giving more playing time to underclassmen in an attempt to develop them for the future.

He has taken his team to a movie during camp, and he has ordered the offense to perform up-downs after each severe miscue in practice.

Series Record: Maryland leads 30-18. Last Meeting: 2004, Maryland 55-21. Duke's momentum.

It has come to where Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen can't bear to watch a football team turn the ball over - his team or anybody else's. Friedgen talks these days like a man a little bit haunted.