INSIDE SLANT

   This has always been a Terrapin team with one eye on the future, given its lack of a senior class. With a 2-8 record, both eyes are now squarely placed on 2010 and beyond. But in a few cases, veterans may get to see some playing time down the stretch in situations that would ordinarily call for the younger crowd.

   Senior Chris Turner, for example, is recovering from an injured MCL and has been ruled out for this weekend. With redshirt sophomore Jamarr Robinson as the backup, the coaching staff is eager to see what they have in the younger player anyway.

   However, Turner will at least try to be ready for the season finale next week, and if he’s available, he’ll probably get to play. If he doesn’t, and anything happens to Robinson, the next option is to burn Danny O’Brien’s redshirt year, which coach Ralph Friedgen appears very willing to do but which flies in the face of conventional wisdom.

   Running back Da’Rel Scott might be tempted to shut it down for the season, but the junior appears poised to return this week after being out six weeks with a broken bone in his forearm. Though there is no shortage of other options in the backfield, none have really panned out this year, so the offense will be grateful to get its star back.

  And on defense, six-year cornerback Richard Taylor will see increased action despite his timeshare with sophomore Cameron Chism. That’s both a reward for sticking with the UMD program despite his injury problems and an acknowledgement that Chism still tends to wear down late in games if he’s been on the field too long.

NOTES, QUOTES

   —It looks like Jamarr Robinson will be making his second consecutive start at quarterback. Chris Turner is listed as out for Florida State, though there is a possibility he could return for the season finale against Boston College.

   —Antwine Perez had a lot of high expectations around him when he transferred from Southern Cal, but for the most part he’s been unable to make much of an impact. He’ll get a chance over the final two games, as he’ll start in place of the injured Kenny Tate as one of four healthy safeties on the roster.

   SERIES HISTORY: Florida State leads 17-2 (last meeting, 2008, 37-3 Florida State).

   SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: With Jamarr Robinson under center, the running game will feature more quarterback keepers than it did under Chris Turner. If Da’Rel Scott is back and able to play extended minutes, he’ll probably be the main ballcarrier and will add the explosiveness that has been missing since he left the Clemson game with an injured forearm. Still, it ultimately comes down to the performance of the offensive line. If it doesn’t keep the Seminoles out of the backfield, the Terrapins are going to have a tough time moving the football.

   SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Big plays killed the Terrapins a week ago. Virginia Tech ran 19 plays that went for 10 yards or more, including seven of more than 25 yards. Keeping the ball in front of them is essential if the Terrapins hope to pull off the upset here.

   QUOTE TO NOTE: “I don’t see guys with attitudes, I don’t see guys pointing fingers. I’m waiting for it to collapse, I really am. But they keep coming back.”—Coach Ralph Friedgen told the Baltimore Sun.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

   THIS WEEK’S GAME: Maryland at Florida State, Nov. 21— This isn’t one of Bobby Bowden’s better teams, but if the rumors in Tallahassee have some truth to them, this could wind up being his final home game as the Seminoles’ coach. His team should be confident after pasting the senior-dominated Terrapin squad a year ago in Byrd Stadium, 37-3.

   KEYS TO THE GAME: Jamarr Robinson surprised some last week with his ability to move the ball on the ground, even against a defense that was expecting that in the second half. To beat the Seminoles will require something else unexpected, like a more potent passing game, as well as a defense that isn’t as prone to the big play as it was against the Hokies.

   PLAYERS TO WATCH:

   RB Da’Rel Scott—Scott broke a bone in his forearm on Oct. 3 against Clemson, and the team hasn’t won since. He’s expected to come back this weekend, which should give a big boost to a running game that’s been lethargic at best without the 2008 All-ACC selection.

   CB Trenton Hughes—Hughes got a lot more snaps than usual against Virginia Tech in place of Anthony Wiseman, in part because he’s a sophomore and Wiseman is a senior, and in part because Wiseman isn’t playing well. When he and fellow sophomore Cameron Chism are the corners, that’s the combination that could be starting opening day in 2010, so expect him to see a lot of work against Florida State this week.

   QB Jamarr Robinson—Robinson showed the ability to make plays with his feet against Virginia Tech, running for 129 yards, but the Terrapins couldn’t hurt the Hokies through the air. To score an upset of the Seminoles, Robinson will have to do a better job of getting the ball to his receivers in a position where they can make plays.

   ROSTER REPORT:

   —WR Ronnie Tyler was limited to a handful of plays against Virginia Tech because of a strained hamstring, but he is expected to see more action this weekend against Florida State.

   —P Travis Balz broke his finger in the loss to Virginia Tech. He is slated to undergo surgery to repair the damage this week and won’t play in the team’s remaining two games. PK Nick Ferrera will handle the duties in Balz’s absence.

   —CB Richard Taylor should be getting more playing time in the final two games, according to the Terrapins’ coaching staff. He’s a sixth-year senior, so this isn’t playing for the future, but it is a nice reward for a player who has stuck with the team and the sport despite struggling with injuries.