<|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|>COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Northwestern and Maryland have followed similar paths to this point in the football season.
Where they go from here could well be determined by the result of their first-ever meeting on Saturday.
The Wildcats<wm>, the No. 14-ranked, defending Big Ten West opponent, will travel 65 miles west on I-90 at approximately the midpoint. University of Maryland has won nine Big 12 games, with its last victory coming in its last five games.
"We're excited, and I hope we have the momentum to go to College Park and get that first win against their red-hot offensive attack," said Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald.
"We're focused. We know they've gotten some of their games since we</wm> got our last win and now its time for us to go to the Big House." - Northwestern coach