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COLLEGE PARK, Maryland (Ticker) -- No. 11 Maryland can reach nine wins for the first time in 16 years on Saturday when it hosts Clemson in an Atlantic Coast Conference contest. The Terrapins (8-1, 5-1 ACC) have won nine or more games only nine times in the 109-year history of the program. Their last nine-win season came in 1985, when they finished 9-3 and won the ACC title. Maryland, which routed Troy State, 47-14, last week, enters the weekend tied for first place in the ACC with Florida State. If the two teams finished tied, the berth in the Bowl Championship Series will be determined by the ACC's tiebreaking procedures, which Florida State currently holds based on its 52-31 victory over Maryland on October 27. However, there is a way the Terrapins can get in if they tie the Seminoles. ACC rules stipulate that in an average of the two major polls, if the loser of a game between two teams is ranked at least five spots above the other, the ranking supercedes the head-to-head meeting. The Seminoles have climbed to 10th in the latest coaches poll, one spot above Maryland. However, Florida State has a tough test next week at Florida. To even think about the ACC title, Maryland must get past Clemson (5-3, 3-3), which is looking to rebound from last week's 41-27 loss to Florida State. Clemson allowed Florida State's Chris Rix to pass for 369 yards and four touchdowns. The Tigers also got hurt on the ground as Greg Jones rushed for 160 yards on 17 carries for the Seminoles. Shaun Hill passed for 228 yards and two touchdowns in Maryland's win over Troy State. The Terrapins outgained the Trojans, 509-271. Maryland's success this year can be attributed to a remarkably balanced offense. The Terrapins are averaging 234.1 yards per game on the ground and 213.8 through the air. They lead the ACC in total offense. The Terrapins also are looking to win seven games at home for the first time in school history. The 1976 team went 6-0 at Byrd Stadium. Clemson leads the all-time series, 27-20-2, and has won 16 of 20 meetings since 1981. The Tigers posted a 35-14 victory over Maryland last season.
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