RALEIGH, N.C. --- The sun is shining, the tailgaters are scurrying about, the classic pork BBQ is being served in the press box.

Welcome to Carter-Finley Stadium, one of my favorite venues in the ACC.

It's easy in, easy out, with a facility that morphed from a rickety old joint to a clean, modern stadium earlier this decade. For that (and maybe that alone), N.C. State owes a debt of gratitude to Chuck Amato.

In any case, Maryland has arrived, and some players and coaches are down on the field (Deege Galt, as is his custom, is bouncing around in his bare feet as one of the first guys to make it onto the playing surface).

Not a whole lot going on so far this morning. Certainly no earth-shattering news, which is no surprise for a game featuring a pair of sub-.500 teams.

Plenty more to come later in the day, however, so check back closer to kickoff and throughout the game for updates.

--- Patrick Stevens

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