COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland football team has been at its best of late against its stiffest competition, winning three in a row against ranked opponents dating back to last season. That streak will be on the line Saturday when the Terps open Atlantic Coast Conference play at No. 20 Clemson.

Maryland (3-1), which beat then-No. 23 Cal two weeks ago and scored 51 points in downing Eastern Michigan last Saturday, pays a visit to `Death Valley' to take on the Tigers.

Since opening the season with a loss to current-No. 8 Alabama, the Tigers (3-1, 1-0) have beaten their last three opponents by an average margin of nearly 34 points. Quarterback Cullen Harper, voted Preseason ACC Player of the Year, guides a potent Clemson offense that ranks second in the conference in scoring and includes an array of talented players at the skill positions, including wide receiver Aaron Kelly.

"They have a lot of weapons and are, I think, one of the most talented teams in the ACC," head coach Ralph Friedgen said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. "In the preseason they were picked to win the ACC. This will be a real challenge for us."

While Maryland's offense has found its stride in recent weeks, its defense has been less effective while enduring a number of injuries in its defensive backfield. The Terps banged-up secondary should be aided by the return of several players from injury on Saturday. Still, Friedgen knows his team must shore up its pass coverage against Clemson, which has won more than 72 percent of its games all-time at its home stadium (243-94-7).

"We really need some corners to step up for us," Friedgen said. "That's one of my concerns this week."

One day after having what Friedgen called the best practice of the season on both sides of the ball, the Terps conducted their final preparation for the Tigers on Thursday afternoon, practicing through steady rain.

The defensive had the upper hand during the two-minute drills near the end of practice. Defensive lineman Jared Harrell intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown on one series, and defensive backs Jeff Allen and Kevin Barnes combined on a pass breakup to force a turnover on downs on another.

"It may rain down there Saturday, so it ended up being a good opportunity for us to work in the rain," Friedgen said. "It presented some difficulties for us to work through."

Following practice, Friedgen announced the captains for Saturday's game. Tight end Dan Gronkowski, linebacker Rick Costa and fullback Cory Jackson will represent the Terps offensive, defense and special teams' units, respectively.

Friedgen also named quarterback Jamarr Robinson and offensive lineman Obum Akunyili his scout team players of the week for their performance in practice leading up to the matchup with the Tigers. Akunyili worked on the defensive scout team this week.

Linebacker Chase Bullock will carry the American flag onto the field Saturday, and offensive lineman Edwin Williams, a local player from Washington, D.C., 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 is set for noon.

The game will be telecast regionally by Raycom Sports and can be seen locally on WJZ-TV (Channel 13) in Baltimore and WDCA-TV (My 20) in Washington, D.C. The contest will also be part of ESPN Game Plan and streamed live on ESPN 360.

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.