Self-parity in the Atlantic

Rumors have swirled about his job security.

His defense has played haplessly, giving up 30-plus points in five games and rank last in the ACC in scoring defense, rushing defense and turnover margin.

The team has just two wins this season, including one against an FBS opponent in overtime.

Yet somehow, Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen has elected to take a positive approach to a season that could be his last in College Park, Md.

It certainly helps that the Terrapins (2-4, 1-1 ACC) reside in the stunningly-bad Atlantic Division.

The six-team division boasts four teams with at least two losses in conference play.

“As strange as things are, here we are at 2-4,” Friedgen said with a positive tone. “Obviously if we had won last week we’d be in a very good situation, but the way [our division] is, everybody but Wake and Maryland has two losses.

“Wake plays Clemson this week in a big game. We’re right in this thing if we could just get going.”

The players are not oblivious the standings.

“I think we are number two in the ACC on our side,” Maryland wideout Adrian Cannon said. “We just have to take advantage of the opportunity.

“I’m just focused on us and getting better every day, limiting our mistakes and taking advantage of opportunities.”

While injuries have mounted on Maryland’s offensive line and the program has lost three of is past four games, production in practice has remained a constant for Friedgen.

“I haven’t changed how I feel about these guys. They came out and practiced hard [Monday] night. If anything, I’m proud of them,” he said. “We’ve got some guys that are nicked up and I’m trying to take it easy on them a little bit so we can get them well, but yet they still want to go.

“That’s a thing I appreciate very much and kind of love them for it.”

Could a rivalry game with Virginia (2-3, 1-0) provide the Terps with the lift needed to challenge for a spot in the ACC championship game?

If the second half against Wake Forest last week was any indication, Maryland could be on the verge of solving some of its problems.

The Terps outscored the Demon Deacons 22-7 in the second half, making a lopsided affair somewhat respectable.

“If there’s any strength I draw from our players, it’s the fact that it was 35-10 and everything was going wrong and we had some injuries and yet we played a lot better in the second half,” Friedgen said. “That game could come down to an onside kick with us three points down. I draw strength from that because of the type of players we have … that they hung in there. I’ve been in other situations where that wasn’t necessarily the case.

“I still have a lot of optimism about this season and I’m hoping we can get a win this weekend and then see where we are health-wise by the stretch run at the end.”

Friedgen said facing a rival and a team that embarrassed Maryland last year could be the perfect recipe for a turnaround.

“I think if you’d ask the Virginia players, they would say the same thing. The kids all know each other,” he said. “A lot of them have gone to school with each other. We have Virginia kids, they have D.C. and Maryland kids.

“I think, over the years, and even since Al Groh and I played, it’s always been a rivalry. They have Virginia Tech also, but I think Maryland’s a rivalry to them and I think it’s a rivalry for our guys, too.”

Maryland quarterback Chris Turner agreed.

“It means a lot because it’s really the only rivalry that we have,” he said. “I know Virginia has other in-state rivals — Virginia Tech and all. So for us it’s a big game every year, regardless of records.

“It’s a rivalry game and both sides come out pretty fired up.”