“We really have our work cut out for us,” Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said.

Clemson (7-1 overall, 4-2 ACC) has a team with experience, size, speed and athleticism that Friedgen has to respect.

“They have a senior offensive line,” Friedgen said. “I think they are the best offensive line in the conference. They also have two great backs.”

James Davis and C.J. Spiller complement each other well in the Tigers? backfield. The pair have combined to run for 1,344 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Friedgen liked how Virginia Tech handled Clemson in a 24-7 win on Oct. 26 by packing the box to limit the rush, containing the screen passes, tackling well in the open field and clamping down in third-down coverage. That?s a tall order for Maryland (6-2, 3-1), but Clemson?s bread and butter is obvious.

“Clemson?s strength is in their running backs,” said Terps sophomore defensive end Jeremy Navarre. ” C.J. Spiller is an open-field guy, and Davis puts his head down and just runs.”

Navarre is coming off one of his best games after blocking a potentially game-tying field goal in Maryland?s 27-24 win over Florida State last Saturday. Those type of big plays will likely be needed again this weekend.

“We stepped up as a unit, and now we have to keep it going,” Navarre said. “We can no longer sneak up on teams. … They are going to be ready to play.”

Junior defensive back Christian Varner was preaching the same defensive doctrine.

“We need to continue to play up to each level,” Varner said. “We need to stop their running game. If they can run the ball on us early they will probably win the game. But if we stop the run we will shut their offense down to one dimension ? passing. Then we can keep them off the balance.”

Varner said the advantage Maryland has enjoyed in the past three wins has been different players stepping up every game and living up to the reputation of being a team that never quits.

“Our identity is that we do not give up,” Varner said.