Terps keys

1. Signal caller stability — Whether Sam Hollenbach starts despite a sprained left shoulder or backup Joel Statham gets the nod, Maryland’s quarterback cannot commit turnovers against the rapacious Seminoles defense. A scoring drive early on would also help, especially in lieu of the Terrapins’ inability to convert scoring opportunities in last week’s loss to Virginia Tech.

2. Establish the run — The stingy Seminoles yield 2.9 yards a rush, but Maryland will need to fare better to control possession and keep its defense from wearing down. The Terps had the ball for more than 35 minutes in last season’s upset of Florida State, and an encore would boost Maryland’s chance of upsetting a top-10 team on the road for the first time since 1990.

3. More of the same? — Maryland’s defensive approach to Virginia Tech was to contain the Hokies’ speedy receivers and shut down the inside running game, though that left quarterback Marcus Vick free to run wild. That plan could work against Florida State since quarterback Drew Weatherford isn’t much of a rushing threat. However, he has proven he can shred defenses — even as a redshirt freshman — with the help of his talented receiver corps.

— Patrick Stevens