COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The last time the Maryland football team won its first two Atlantic Coast Conference games in a season, many of the team's current players were in middle school.

That scenario, however, is at stake when Maryland (4-1, 1-0 ACC) hits the road to take on rival Virginia (1-3, 0-1) Saturday evening. The Terps already are off to their best start since the 2001 ACC Championship season, which also happens to be the last time the team commenced conference play with consecutive victories.

After beating then-No. 20 Clemson Saturday in their conference opener, the Terps head to Charlottesville, Va., knowing a win over the host Cavaliers would put them in good position in the ACC's Atlantic Division entering their bye week. Consequently, head coach Ralph Friedgen and his staff spent this week preaching to their players the importance of Saturday's matchup with Virginia.

"I just told them tonight, if we get this game, we'll have two wins in the ACC, and we'd be 5-1 with four of the six games remaining at home," Friedgen said. "That's why this is so big of a game for us. Every game from here on out is going to be a big game, but this game is really, really important."

Virginia opened ACC play last Saturday with a loss at Duke, snapping the Blue Devils' 25-game conference losing streak. Duke capitalized on five second-half turnovers by Virginia to take control in what was a 3-3 game at halftime.

But despite the Cavaliers' struggles thus far in 2008, Friedgen is keenly aware of the stern test that awaits his team on Saturday. Virginia ranks second in the ACC in sacks, with linebacker Clint Sintim leading the conference in that category. Across the line of scrimmage, Cavaliers wideout Kevin Ogletree ranks sixth in the ACC in all-purpose yards.

Moreover, Virginia has experienced tremendous success against conference foes at its own Scott Stadium.

"This Virginia team is having a tough year right now, but this is going to be a tough football game," Friedgen said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. "They've won five straight at home playing at night. They've won 19 of out their last 21 ACC home openers. We haven't played real well when we've gone down there. It's a tough environment, and I know that they'll be ready to play us."

The Terps conducted their final preparations for the Cavaliers on Thursday. During the two-minute drill portion of practice, second-string quarterback Josh Portis connected with wide receiver Torrey Smith for a 45-yard touchdown. Earlier in the session, fellow quarterback Chris Turner's 20-yard completion to wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey resulted in a field-goal conversion.

"I still think we've got to play better than we've been playing, and I still think there's room for improvement," said Friedgen of his team's recent performances during games and practice sessions.

Following Thursday's practice, Friedgen announced the captains for Saturday's game. Wide receiver Danny Oquendo, defensive lineman Dean Muhtadi and defensive back Jeff Allen will represent the Terps offensive, defense and special teams' units, respectively.

Friedgen also named wide receiver Kerry Boykins and defensive lineman Masengo Kabongo his scout team players of the week for their performance in practice leading up to the matchup with the Cavaliers.

Turner will carry the American flag onto the field Saturday, and linebacker Trey Covington, a native of Bowie, Md., will bring the Maryland flag. The Terps started the practice of carrying the flags onto the field prior to games at the beginning of the season.

Kickoff for Saturday's game versus the Cavaliers is set for 7 p.m. at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va.

The game will be telecast nationally on ESPNU. It can also be heard over the Terrapin Sports Radio Network. Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will replay the game at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, right after the replay of the Ralph Friedgen Television Show.