Maryland is up there for me.
If we blow an early one it completely ruins a lot of what we are counting on going into Clemson
Your concern may be legitimate in most seasons but we have a few major factors that should put the game in the SU favored/lean SU/Should win column:
1) HCDB has the team ready for early games. His first two season he had far less talent and depth, the team was ready (or as ready as could be with the new system install). Last season proved he was no fluke. SU will be ready for Liberty and Maryland. It is unreasonable to judge HCDB against prior coaches without crediting his performance. Too many fans on here attribute former coaches' habit of failing to plan early games, overlooking teams, and simply blowing What The &^%# games to HCDB without any analysis and without giving HCDB credit for his record. Aside from the fact that common sense dictates that fair analysis be completed, it is so far from the truth the point should not be brought up anymore. Unless there is proof that HCDB teams are not ready out of the gate, this point alone should favor SU.
2) SU is in year 4 of the HCDB system. Every player and coach knows what they are doing. Juxtapose that with the fact that Maryland is starting the season with a new coach and a new system on O and on D. Plainly, they will play to their ability, which should not be overlooked, but they are not as developed in their system as SU is. Systems count. Heavy edge to SU.
3) HCDB is a proven winning coach at the highest levels. Maryland's coach has yet to prove he can coach at the D1 level let alone the P5 level. Heavy edge to SU.
4) SU plays at a pace that drives teams mad and wears down the starters/stars. Maryland is in no way ready for the SU game. Even if they install the same system and work on conditioning, defensively they will not be ready until the end of the season at best, offensively, not until sometime next fall at best. Heavy edge to SU.
5) Talent. Maryland has been recruiting an higher lever, no doubt, at least according to the recruiting services. Regardless, on paper, Maryland talent runs deeper, top to bottom, though I believe our starters match up well enough for a draw, I concede that Maryland talent gives Maryland the edge.
6) Special teams. SU one of the best. Need we say more? Well developed under HCDB, Maryland has a new system, too, in week two, will their special teams be special? Heavy edge to SU.
In short, Maryland has very little favoring them, SU should be a favorite and HCDB should be expected to win. If HCDB had a history of overlooking teams, loosing games early (poor preparation), or What The &^$ games, I may be concerned, but HCDB is prepared even when he has far less talent (see VATech, Clemson two years running, FSU with far more talent than Maryland, etc.). SU should be the odds on favorite in spite of this game being at Maryland.
I do agree that if SU lays an egg at Liberty or Maryland, the Clemson game will ruined. I simply don't see how SU loses to either team, at least on paper.