Maryland Preview

Time: Noon
Location: Big House
TV: ABC
Weather: 75 40% 🌧
Line: Mich -17.5

Michigan slept walked through the first half of the Northwestern game and when they woke up they found out they had given up 17 points.   Michigan usually doesn't sleep walk in the Big House at a noon start, but you never know.

Michigan's former DC DJ Durkin won't be on the sideline as "toxic" investigation into his program continues.

Tale of the Tape:

Michigan Run Game vs. Maryland Run D = Maryland 

Maryland Run Game vs. Michigan Run D = Michigan 

Michigan Oline vs. Maryland Dline = Push 

Shea Patterson vs. Maryland DB = Michigan 

Michigan D line vs. Maryland Oline = Michigan 

Coaching = Michigan

Maryland has a good run defense and only gave up 95 yards to the Golden Gophers last weekend and holding all its opponents to under 3 yards a carry.   Guess, what the strategy is going to be?  Just like everybody does, stuff the box and stop Higdon/Evans/Wilson.   

Michigan will have to pass protect and hit the TE's and WR's to move the ball until the running lanes open back up in the second half.   

Order DJ Pizza after the game if.............

• Michigan gets called for less then 5 penalties 
• Michigan passes the ball for an early 1st half lead 
• Runs the ball in the second half comfortably
• Defense gives up a single digit final score 
• Winovich gets 3 sacks 

Wonder out load, what the hell is wrong with this team? if.......

• Michigan continues to run the ball into a good defense
• Michigan has 3 and outs 
• Michigan continues its sleepy start 
• Michigan again struggles with penalties
• The defense gives up way more points then expected

 

Maryland has been a bit of a surprise again this season, they are 3-1 with a win over Texas week 1.   They did get blown out by Temple which is a head scratcher.   Michigan of course is the more talented team and the Maryland program is going through a ton of distractions after the tragic death of Jordan McNair.

I expect to see a renewed focus the Michigan defense and balanced offensive performance as the Wolverines love playing at noon at home.  Maryland's run defense is for real and if Jimmy and the coaches are smart, they won't continue to run into that wall.  Both teams want to run the football and I expect Michigan has a better game plan.  If the Wolverines are focused on both sides of the ball, this game could be over by 1:30.  If they play like they did last week, it could be too close for comfort.    I think Shea goes over 300 yards passing and Gentry scores two TD's.

Michigan 36 Maryland 9