Weathering the weather

As an addendum to an earlier entry, I asked Torrey Smith about his somewhat quiet days of late.

Like just about everyone who has seen Maryland in the last month, he's sick of one recurring problem --- awful weather.

"It really hasn't been the defense," Smith said. "It's been the weather more than anything. We've played three rain games. It's tough to do things you want to do on the offensive end, especially for myself as a receiver to go out there and make plays. There's not very many opportunities when you're playing in the rain. I just have to play my part."

Indeed he does. Smith managed 47 yards receiving the last two games in driving rain --- or less than he piled up in each of the five games before those losses to Virginia and Duke.

So has Smith sneaked a peek at Saturday's forecast in Raleigh (which, for now, is sunny skies and 59 degrees for a high)?

"I always check it out," Smith said. "It's supposed to be all right. I don't want to look at it again until Saturday. Hopefully it will stay the same."

--- Patrick Stevens