RALEIGH, N.C. — The way injuries have plagued North Carolina State this season, coach Tom O’Brien wishes he could take one for his team.

“I hope I’m the next one hurt, the way we’re going,” O’Brien said. “I’ll take a hit for the team if it keeps somebody else healthy.”

The disappointing Wolfpack look to avoid their fifth straight loss Saturday when they play host to a Maryland team that has dropped four in a row and six of seven in a matchup of the two worst teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Atlantic Division.

Four games remain, and already 12 injured N.C. State players are done for the season — a list that starts with linebacker Nate Irving (auto accident during the summer) and ends with key offensive lineman R.J. Mattes (knee), who was hurt during last week’s loss at Florida State.

The expanded disabled list has derailed a season in which the Wolfpack (3-5, 0-4) have dropped from darkhorse contenders for the division title to the only team winless in ACC play.

“They’ve kind of accepted the fact that they’ve been dealt a bad hand,” O’Brien said. “There’s nothing they can do but fight their way out of it. So we’re going to continue to fight and play the best we can.”

If nothing else, one team will walk out of Carter-Finley Stadium feeling at least marginally better about itself. The other formally will be eliminated from bowl consideration.

Maryland (2-6, 1-3) has won only once since Week 2 — a 24-21 shocker against Atlantic leader Clemson — and has no victories away from College Park, Md.

The Terrapins have been off since their 17-13 loss to Duke two weeks ago, one of four performances in which they failed to score more than 13 points. They’ve struggled without Da’Rel Scott, who broke his wrist in the Clemson game, and are one of three ACC teams averaging fewer than 100 yards rushing per game.

To have any hope of their fourth straight bowl appearance, the Terps must turn things around in a hurry and win their final four games against N.C. State, No. 22 Virginia Tech, Florida State and Boston College.

“We are trying to get our running game going again,” Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said. “Our off-week, we did more stuff from a coaching aspect of what are we doing well, what we are not doing well and why are we not doing it well. We looked at explosive runs, the red zone and passing. Who’s making plays and who isn’t, why we aren’t making sacks and the whole gamut.

“When you have so many guys that are nicked up, it’s tough to get anything really done on the field because most of the guys you need to get it done with aren’t practicing.”

That could be the balm for an N.C. State defense that has allowed three straight teams to gain at least 480 total yards and roll up at least 45 points, and hasn’t held a Bowl Subdivision team to fewer than 256. The continuity-starved Wolfpack have used seven different lineups in the secondary in eight games.

“We’re not executing our assignments,” safety Clem Johnson said. “The film, it shows it. ... We’re not doing our part. If one guy messes up, it messes up the whole defense.”

The Wolfpack, who played two Championship Subdivision teams, need seven wins — and, of course, a drastic turnaround — to qualify for a second straight bowl. After Maryland, they play Clemson, the Hokies and North Carolina.



At a glance: Maryland at NC State

By The Associated Press

Maryland (2-6, 1-3) at North Carolina State (3-5, 0-4), 1 p.m. (ESPN360.com)

Line: N.C. State by 6 1/2.

Series record: Maryland leads 31-30-4.

Last meeting: 2008, Maryland, 27-24.

What’s At Stake

Bowl ineligibility. The loser will be officially eliminated from postseason consideration — but that’s seemingly a foregone conclusion for a pair of the ACC’s biggest disappointments. At least someone’s losing streak will end: N.C. State has lost four straight while the Terps have dropped three in a row.

Key Matchup

Maryland’s offense vs. N.C. State’s defense. Something’s got to give. The Terps have been held to 13 or fewer points in four of their eight games, but they’re facing a depleted Wolfpack defense that has allowed an average of 512 total yards and nearly 49 points in its last three, all losses.

Players to watch

Maryland: RB Davin Meggett took a screen pass 67 yards for a touchdown last time out against Duke, and has to get something going on the ground for one of the ACC’s worst rushing offenses.

N.C. State: QB Russell Wilson remains one of the few bright spots for the Wolfpack, matching a career high with five touchdown passes last week against Florida State. But the reigning ACC rookie of the year needs help from his defense.

Facts & Figures

Terrapins have won seven of nine meetings in the ACC’s closest series, while N.C. State won eight of the nine before that. ... Seven of last nine meetings have been decided by 10 or fewer points, and four were by four or fewer points. ... N.C. State WR Jarvis Williams had three touchdown catches last week, the best performance by any ACC player. ... Terps rank 10th or worse in six of the ACC’s eight main team statistical categories.