“They have a lot of options on offense,” Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said.

The biggest threat comes from wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who has 426 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. But he is just one of many weapons. With the ability to scramble and create plays from nothing, quarterback Reggie Ball adds another dimension to the passing game.

“He is quick, he is athletic, he is very competitive and has a very strong arm,” Friedgen said of Ball. “He has been playing for four years, so he should be at his best right now.”

Maryland cornerback Josh Wilson sees the same threat from the Yellow Jackets? passing game. Everyone keys on Johnson, Wilson said, but Ball (768 yards, nine TDs passing; 302 yards, one TD rushing) is just as dangerous because of his elusiveness.

“Playing with both of them ? him at quarterback and Calvin Johnson ? this team has a lot of weapons and a lot of potential,” Wilson said.

At running back, Georgia Tech hands the ball to Tashard Choice (389 yards, four TDs). The Terps need to figure out how to contain the speedy Johnson while not letting any other players break free. The key to that will be knowing assignments and executing them.

“Tashard Choice, he is another factor in the equation,” Friedgen said. “I think our offensive line is playing well and the other receiver, Johnson, is another threat, too.”

The Yellow Jackets are blessed with speed on defense, too, and they bring a lot of pressure. It will be a stiff test for Maryland quarterback Sam Hollenbach, who must make decisions faster than usual.

Last week, the Terps pulled out the skill players in practice to work on the timing of the passing game.

“I thought [Hollenbach] was much more precise,” Friedgen said. “He is going to have to be.”

Hollenbach said he is refreshed after the bye week and ready to make quick decisions.

“I felt a little bit better in practice about making quicker decisions,” he said. “We are going to have to be ready to go physically and mentally because they are going to challenge us. We are going to have to play better than we have in September. That is a fact.”

Saturday night showdown

» Saturday?s game starts at 7 p.m.

» Georgia Tech leads the all-time series at 12-5 and has limited Maryland to 10 points combined in the last two meetings.

» Maryland senior Drew Weatherly should be back in uniform after missing the beginning of the year while rehabilitating a broken foot.

» Saturday will be the 90th anniversary of the most lopsided game in college football history when Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland, 222-0.