At the prodding of of loyal reader FearTheNoodle, here's a ticket update for Maryland's football game against North Carolina on Saturday.

According to senior associate athletic director for external operations Brian Ullmann, the school has sold about 47,500 tickets. That would at least ensure the Terps draw more than their last two home games, which were against Wake Forest (46,257) and N.C. State (45,018).

Nearly three-quarters of the unsold tickets come from a 4,000-seat block set aside for the visiting team. North Carolina has accounted for approximately 1,100 tickets, which is less than the 1,200 both N.C. State and Wake Forest sold for their games last month.

An educated guess as to why sales would be so tepid for fans of a 7-2 team enjoying its best season in a decade? Well, the top-ranked Carolina basketball team opens its season Saturday at 4 p.m., meeting Penn in the Dean Dome.

Tar Heels football coach Butch Davis was actually asked about this viewing conundrum on Monday at his weekly press conference.

"[They can use] the split TV, where you got split picture," Davis said. "Just turn down the volume and listen to [Carolina radio announcer] Woody Durham."

That suggestion takes care of the fans at home. And judging from the size of the crowd coming up from Chapel Hill, Davis' advice will take care of nearly all of his fan base.

--- Patrick Stevens

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