The Seminoles (5-5, 3-4 ACC) want to avoid a must-win next week at No. 1 Florida just to qualify for a bowl. Extending their NCAA-high streak of bowl appearances to 28 is one of the only goals out there. A key will be how redshirt freshman quarterback EJ Manuel, making his second start, handles the blitz-happy Terrapins. He faced little pressure last week against Wake Forest thanks to offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher's play-calling of rollouts and a strong running game. FSU's defense would like to make a statement in the last home game for retiring coordinator Mickey Andrews. The Terrapins (2-8, 1-5) have lost five straight since upsetting Clemson on Oct. 3. Despite a knack for having a strong offense, coach Ralph Friedgen's Terrapins are averaging 311.1 yards (106th nationally) and 21.3 points (98th).
Brian Landman, Times staff writer
WHAT TO WATCH FOR ...
Sophomore receiver/kick returner Torrey Smith has set Maryland's season record for all-purpose yards with 1,921. He's fourth in the nation at 192.1 per game. Like FSU, Maryland lost its top quarterback and last week turned to a first-time starter, redshirt sophomore Jamarr Robinson. In a 36-9 loss to Virginia Tech, he threw for 104 yards and rushed for 129.
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