Miami did its part.
Now it?s all up to Maryland to continue a dream ride to the ACC Championship game.
The Hurricanes toppled Boston College Thursday night, 17-14, and with a win tonight against Wake Forest, the Terps will be bound for a rematch with ACC Coastal Division champs Georgia Tech in the ACC title game.
Early in the week, coach Ralph Friedgen and the Terps (8-3, 5-2) contemplated their fate, but admitted that regardless of Thursday?s result, they would go all-out against the Demon Deacons (9-2, 5-2).
“It doesn?t have an effect on how we?ll we play on Saturday,” Terps senior tailback Josh Allen said.
But with Miami?s upset victory Thursday, Maryland players will have more to play for. Aside from the chance to win the ACC Atlantic Division, the Terps would also keep alive the opportunity to win 10 games should they win tonight.
“We?ve still got to beat Wake to get nine, and go to the bowl game to win 10,” junior tight end Joey Haynos said. “To win 10 is huge. Not too many teams here at Maryland have won 10, so it?s a huge thing to shoot for. That?s definitely one of our goals.”
The Terps? other goal is to reach the best bowl possible.
“I think our chances would be a lot better with nine wins to go to a bigger bowl than it would with eight,” Friedgen said.
Aside from the dream of an Orange Bowl bid, openings in the Gator, Champs Sports, Music City, Meineke Car Care and Chic-fil-A bowls remain possibilities for Maryland.
“We want to make it to the best bowl game we can,” senior quarterback Sam Hollenbach said.
