Notre Dane and Maryland had only one opponent in common last year, which was West Virginia. The scores were similar: Maryland won 32-20 and N.D. won 34-24.

Maryland played them at home. Statistically, W.V. had the edge in total yardage and per play yardage, running 95 plays for 430 yards. Maryland had 373 yards on 84 plays. As was often the case during 2001, however, Maryland won the turnover battle: this time 6-0.

Much like N.D. of 2000, Maryland was able to lose the yardage battle, but win the turnover battle, and wind up winning the game. Other examples from Maryland's 2001 campaign: North Carolina had better total yardage and yardage per play figures, but Maryland won the turnover battle and won 23-7. Maryland was outgained 370 to 302 by Georgia Tech. and Tech. had better per play figures, but Maryland won the T.O. battle 6-2 and won the game 20-17 in O.T. In Maryland's losses, however, this formula did not work. Against F.S.U. the Terps lost the T.O. margin 4-1 and gave up almost 500 total yards and nearly 7.5 per play in a 52-31 loss (though the game was 31-31 going into the 4th quarter). Against Florida, Maryland did win the T.O. margin 3-1, but it wasn't nearly enough as Florida rolled for 659 yards in 74 plays (just under 9 yards per play) on the way to a 56-23 win.

N.D. also played W.V. at home and, as noted, won 34-24. N.D. gained 415 yards in 83 plays, which considerably outpaced W.V.'s 270 yards in 60 plays. N.D. lost the turnover battle 2 to 1. N.D. was essentially able to run at will against W.V. (345 yards on 69 carries) while Maryland generated just 181 yards on 52 carries. N.D. didn't generate (or need) much passing offense: 70 yards on 14 attempts (5 yards per attempt). Maryland threw a lot more (32 times) but not hugely effectively, gaining 192 yards (exactly 6 yards per attempt).

West Virginia posted reasonably similar rushing stats against both teams. Against N.D. the Mountaineers ran 37 times for 179 yards and against Maryland ran 43 times for 151 yards. W.V., however, was unable to generate any significant passing offense against N.D., going 9 of 23 for 91 yards. Against Maryland, however, the W.V. Qbs went 31 of 52 for 279 yards, though the 4 ints. were a large part of what doomed W.V. in the game.