In the first year of the newly expanded Atlantic Coast Conference, the Maryland football team will face Virginia Tech, but not the University of Miami, the ACC's other new member for the 2004 season.
The Terps' 2004 schedule, released yesterday by the school's athletic department and ACC officials, includes matchups with seven teams that played in bowl games this past season.
Slated for Maryland are nonconference games against Gator Bowl opponent West Virginia, Northern Illinois and Temple. Highlighting the conference schedule is an Oct. 30 game against Florida State at Byrd Stadium and a road contest against Virginia Tech.
The Terps will travel to Blacksburg, Va., to play the Hokies Nov. 18 for a Thursday night game on ESPN.
"I think our 2004 schedule is very demanding," said coach Ralph Friedgen, whose Terps finished 10-3 last season. "There are good teams throughout the schedule and a very tough stretch once we get into ACC play. It is going to take a very good effort from our coaches and our players if we are to continue upon the success we have had the last three years at Maryland."
Eight of the 11 opponents for the 2004 Terps finished with at least seven wins last season.
Maryland will not play North Carolina or first-year ACC member Miami. Once Boston College joins the conference in 2005, a new schedule rotation will be developed.
Maryland 2004 schedule
Date ............. Opponent ................ Time
Sept. 4 ......... Northern Illinois............. 6
Sept. 11 ....... Temple............................. 6
Sept. 18 ...... at West Virginia .........TBA
Sept. 25 ....... at Duke ......................TBA
Oct. 9 .......... Georgia Tech ........... TBA
Oct. 16 ........ N.C. State ................. TBA
Oct. 23........ at Clemson .............. TBA
Oct. 30........ Fla. State .................TBA
Nov. 6 ......... at Virginia .............. TBA
Nov. 18 ....... at Virginia Tech ......TBA
Nov. 27 ...... Wake Forest ............. TBA
