Maryland, Pittsburgh Meet Tonight

From a psychological standpoint, neither team appears to have an advantage. Maryland doesn’t know what to anticipate from Pittsburgh’s coach, and Pitt doesn’t know what to expect from Maryland’s quarterback.

Pittsburgh returns seven offensive regulars from its 5-5-1 team of a year ago. Maryland returns three all-Atlantic Coast Conference players from a defense that was one of the best in the nation in 1985.

But it will be the element of the unknown tonight (5 p.m., ESPN) that adds to the attractiveness of the season opener between teams which have combined to play in 21 bowl games since 1973.

Pittsburgh has a veteran quarterback in John Congemi, a three-year starter, but a brand-new coach in Mike Gottfried. His wide-open, passing-oriented offense contrasts to the more conservative running schemes favored by his ousted predecessor, Foge Fazio.

Maryland has a veteran coach in Bobby Ross, whose Terps are 34-14 since he became coach in 1982, but a first-year quarterback in Dan Henning.