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Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe calls it "embarrassing." Tight end Andrew Parker declared that the game still "haunts us."

The Demon Deacons were unbeaten in the Atlantic Coast Conference midway through last season, coming off a big win a week earlier, and ranked No. 19 when they traveled to Maryland and were schooled 26-0 by the Terrapins.

"I thought Maryland played really well, but embarrassed is a good word to use for us," Grobe said.

Fast forward 51 weeks, and the Demon Deacons (3-2, 1-1) are in a similar spot. They won a thriller against N.C. State a week earlier and are double-digit favorites to keep the good times going on Saturday when they host the Terrapins (2-3, 1-0) on homecoming in Winston-Salem.

Only this is the ACC, where things don't seem to go as expected. Just last week, Virginia stunned North Carolina, Boston College beat Florida State and Maryland — yes, these Terrapins — knocked off Clemson.

"And most people thought N.C. State would beat the Deacs," Grobe said. "There's no way to guess what's going to happen from week to week, and you just have to prepare the players the best you can."

Grobe's preparation has changed dramatically since the season opener. Acknowledging he erred in trying to focus on the running game in a loss to Baylor, Grobe has let Riley Skinner air it out. The senior quarterback has set a career high in yards passing in three consecutive games. Last week he threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns and outdueled Russell Wilson.

"Riley is probably one of the best that's ever been in the ACC," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said. "I'm glad he's a senior."

Skinner, with speedy receivers Marshall Williams and Chris Givens, figure to pose problems for Maryland's maligned defense. Despite holding off Clemson last week, the Terrapins are still allowing 34.8 points a game, 110th in the nation.

Maryland hasn't been on the road since it allowed 52 points in a season-opening loss to California.

"I think it's going to be big for us to come out and win on the road," said linebacker Alex Wujciak, who has a team-best 52 tackles. "Coach told us, the team that wins on the road is the team that's going to play in the championship game."

Odd as it sounds for a team that needed overtime to beat James Madison and lost at home Middle Tennessee State and Rutgers, the Terrapins are alone atop the Atlantic Division after last week's victory. Trouble is, they're banged up on offense.

Running back Da'Rel Scott is out for about a month after breaking his wrist against Clemson. He'll likely be replaced by Davin Meggett. Left tackle Bruce Campbell (knee) also is expected to sit out.

"Losing Da'Rel is tough — he's a very good player — but we feel like we're deep at running back," quarterback Chris Turner said. "The other guys are going to have to step up. That's the reality of the situation."

Maryland's inconsistent offense will likely have to put up points to stay with Skinner and Wake Forest.

The Demon Deacons are averaging 408 yards a game, best in the ACC. Skinner has become more of a pocket passer this season, although he was sacked six times last week.

"They're not running him as much as they have in the past," Friedgen said. "Now that I've said that, they'll probably run him zone option all over the place. I don't know whether they are afraid of him getting hurt or what. They are very innovative with what they do. ... We got a real test on our hands defensively."

Last year the defense was nearly perfect. Skinner was just 14-of-30 for 127 yards and the Demon Deacons were blanked for the first time in 10 years. It marked the final week all season Wake Forest was ranked.

"Embarrassing," cornerback Brandon Ghee said. "I still remember it."