Maryland gets a close bowl game for its final game as an ACC school, squaring off against the Marshall Thundering Herd in the Military Bowl -- which, this season, will be played in Annapolis.
2013 Military Bowl viewing guide: Maryland vs. Marshall TV time and more
The game is scheduled for December 27 at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
The Terrapins started the season 4-0 and ranked on the strength of a blowout win over West Virginia, but any dreams of competing in the ACC died with a 63-0 loss to Florida State. After a close win over 2-10 Virginia, Maryland looked set to make a bowl game at 5-1, but three straight losses put those dreams in jeopardy. The Terps pulled off a dramatic overtime victory over Virginia Tech on the road to clinch eligibility, and two weeks later solidified their position with a blowout win at NC State.
Marshall started the season an uncertain 4-3 (including a triple-overtime loss to Virginia Tech), but won five straight games to stake its claim as the top team in the Conference USA East. The last of those wins came in the regular season finale against East Carolina in a winner-take-all scenario for the division. The following week, the Thundering Herd were upset by Rice, putting them in this game.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Neither team is ranked. Maryland went 7-5 this year with a 3-5 record in ACC play, good for fifth in the Atlantic. Marshall had a 9-4 record, winning the Conference USA East Division with a 7-1 mark in conference play. This is the first meeting between these two schools.
Vegas: Marshall is a 2.5-point favorite. The over/under is 62.
Weather: Upper 40s.
Three names to know
C.J. Brown. Maryland’s dual-threat quarterback battled injuries this season, but when he’s healthy he’s hard to stop in either phase of the game.
Marcus Whitfield. The Terrapins have seen strong defensive play for much of the year led by Whitfield on the outside, who has been a dominating pass-rushing force from his linebacking position.
Rakeem Cato. Marshall's quarterback gave Virginia Tech problems in their game, and he posted one of the better statistical lines this season.
Two things at stake
This is Maryland’s last game as an ACC school, and the Terps will be looking to end their time in the conference with a win.
Marshall was upset by Rice in the Conference USA Championship Game and will be looking to avoid ending the season on a losing streak.
How to witness
TV: 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Online streaming: WatchESPN.
Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Stadium: Navy-Marine Corps Stadium; 34,000 capacity
Tickets: Find available seats here.
Last year’s score: San Jose State 29 - Bowling Green 20
Last year’s attendance: 17,835
Last year’s TV rating: 1.3 Nielsen; approximately 1.9 million people.
Last year’s payout for each school: $1 million
Team with the most all-time appearances: No school has made more than one appearance.
Team with the most all-time wins: Maryland, San Jose State, Toledo, UCLA and Wake Forest all have one win.
Further reading
Testudo Times has all your coverage from the Maryland side of things.
More from SB Nation college football:
See More:
