Florida State needed to come out and take care of business to clinch the ACC Atlantic Division

The Seminoles opened up with a strong running game against a Maryland defense that had actually been fairly good on the season. An 11-play, 61-yard drive ended in a touchdown to open the game. Florida State forced a fumble on the resulting kickoff, recovering in Maryland territory and quickly scoring on a play-action pass from EJ Manuel to sophomore tight end Nick O'Leary. Florida State then added two field goals to go up 20-0, and kicker Dustin Hopkins set the all-time scoring record for kickers, breaking the previous mark of 439 points. Manuel added a 30-yard touchdown to Rashad Greene to go up 27-0.

Of course, things were made easy by the defense dominating Maryland's pitiful offense, quarterbacked by linebacker Shawn Petty. Maryland had only 26 total yards in the first half, on 21 plays.

Both sides came out flat for one series to open the second half, but quickly found the intensity again.

Maryland added a touchdown with 25 seconds left against FSU's reserves to blow the cover for the Seminoles.