Two weeks into the college football season, Maryland, Navy and Virginia are unbeaten. All will have to kick it up a notch Saturday, however, to stay that way. Here’s a look at the games. No. 18 West Virginia at Maryland » Maryland has no bigger nemesis than West Virginia. The Mountaineers have handed the Terrapins their first loss in four of the last seven seasons. The recurring theme has been West Virginia’s quickness edge. But Maryland is better equipped to deal with speed this year, transforming its front seven into a leaner, meaner crew, shifting Demetrius Hartsfield from outside linebacker to the middle and Kenny Tate from safety to linebacker.
Navy at No. 11 South Carolina » The most intriguing game of the weekend. No team in the nation relishes a challenge more than Navy, always a tough out for even the most talented BCS conference teams. South Carolina (2-0) has surrendered 79 points, and this might be a great time to catch the Gamecocks — after a 45-42 win at Georgia. On the other hand, is anyone from Navy equipped to deal with 6-foot-1, 230-pound running back Marcus Lattimore or 6-4, 230 wideout Alshon Jeffery? Expect a shootout.
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Virginia at North Carolina » Chapel Hill is the place for Virginia to make a statement. The Cavaliers have won their last two trips there (2007, 2009). No quarterback in the nation has a better completion percentage than Tar Heels sophomore Bryn Renner, who has hit 42 of 49 (85.7 percent). But of his seven misfires, four have been caught by the opposition. That’s good news for Virginia’s pair of talented corners, Chase Minnifield and Demetrious Nicholson.
– Kevin Dunleavy
