College football: D.C. area Week 3 preview

No. 13 VIRGINIA TECH (2-0) at PITTSBURGH (0-2)

When: Noon

Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

TV/radio: ESPNU, 106.7 FM

Outlook: Virginia Tech leads series 7-4, though Pittsburgh won the past three meetings between 2001 and 2003. The once and future conference rivals already are on vastly different courses this season. Virginia Tech emerged unscathed from playing twice in six days and has a pair of Big East opponents to face in the next three weeks. The Panthers lost to Youngstown State and Cincinnati in their two-games-in-six-days stretch and face the possibility of a lost season under first-year coach Paul Chryst. Hokies junior Logan Thomas ranks fifth in program history in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 12.

CONNECTICUT (1-1) at MARYLAND (2-0)

When: 12:30

Where: Byrd Stadium

TV/radio: Chs. 5, 13, 980 AM

Outlook: Maryland leads series 1-0, a 34-0 victory in 1942. This was the start of a thoroughly unremarkable home-and-home series when it was scheduled, it turned into Edsall Bowl I when Randy Edsall left Connecticut for Maryland in early 2011. The Terrapins are seeking their first 3-0 start since 2001 and would surpass their victory total from all of Edsall’s first season with a victory. Based on early returns, don’t look for much offense; the Huskies rank 104th nationally in total yardage while Maryland is 113th (of 120 teams). This also marks the return of Connecticut defensive coordinator Don Brown to College Park; he held the same position with the Terps in 2009-10.

NAVY (0-1) at PENN STATE (0-2)

When: 3:30

Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.

TV/radio: Chs. 7, 2, 1050 AM, 1500 AM

Outlook: Penn State leads series 18-17-2, though Navy won the last meeting 7-6 in 1974. Two weeks removed from their 50-10 loss to Notre Dame, the Midshipmen resume the second part of what was projected to be their toughest opening stretch in recent memory. It still could be, although Penn State has yet to wrap up a victory under first-year coach Bill O’Brien. The Nittany Lions missed four of five field goal attempts in last week’s 17-16 setback at Virginia. Navy is unlikely to get wide receiver Matt Aiken back from a knee injury, although senior wideout Brandon Turner is expected to make his season debut.

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