Entering a game in the Goliath role is not an old hat for the Maryland Terrapins.

Maryland was a lot closer to laughing stock of the ACC than it was to powerhouse not too long ago. Three years before coach Ralph Friedgen’s hiring in 2001, the team combined for a 13-20 record with a 6-18 mark in the ACC.

Since Friedgen’s appearance with the Terps in 2001 as head coach, the team is 21-5 with a 13-3 conference record.

The Terrapins enter this season ranked anywhere from 10th to 23rd, but found 13th and 15th in the coaches and The Associated Press polls, respectively.

The team also made two consecutive Bowl Championship Series appearances, including a 30-3 victory over Tennessee last year.

“All I see when I think about that team is they are extremely well-balanced,” NIU coach Joe Novak said. “I don’t think there is really any super superstar, but really they’re strong across the board.”

Maryland is expected to sit out former 1,200-yard rusher Bruce Perry (ankle), but counters with Josh Allen, who averaged 6.8 yards-per-carry in 60 attempts last season with eight touchdowns.

The status of starting senior quarterback Scott McBrien is also up in the air (strained groin), although he’s expected to play. McBrien threw for almost 2,500 yards last year and finished as the 15th highest-rated passer in the country.

Known for their 600-page playbook, the offense spreads the ball out to all their receivers. Last season, 12 wideouts caught for 50 yards or more.

Balance also extends to the defense, where future NFL draft picks can be found at each position.

“Our strength on [defense] is balance against the run or the pass,” defensive tackle Randy Starks said. “Our defensive backfield is our best strength, though. Not to take anything away from our linebackers or defensive linemen, but they’re our best group.”

The defensive backfield is led by Madieu Williams, widely regarded as one of the top five safeties in the country.

Starks headlines the defensive line (see box), which will be left in charge of containing NIU running back Michael Turner.

The Terps may find themselves a little distracted against NIU because of their next opponent, Florida State, on Sept. 6. The longtime king of the ACC has beaten Maryland by an average of 24 points the last two seasons.