Rationally, there's no reason to think the newly anointed Atlantic Division favorites from Wake Forest will stumble at Maryland in another nine days.

But since rationality doesn't apply to the Bizarro Terps, it might be worth exploring the idea that getting the ranked Demon Deacons at noon next week is actually a very good thing. It would also then require the further exploration of the possibility that Maryland could follow up a defeat of Wake with a loss to an N.C. State team that could easily be 2-5 at that point.

There will be plenty of time for such meanderings in the coming days.

But here is the bottom line for Wake: Win at Maryland, and the Demon Deacons are 3-0 in the league with victories over three division opponents (Florida State, Clemson and Maryland). After their trip to CP, it's onto Miami before returning home for Duke and Virginia before visiting N.C. State. A home game against Boston College caps the conference schedule.

That would be a sweet situation --- and one Maryland could easily spoil if the Terps' better selves show up at Byrd next week.

--- Patrick Stevens

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