It’s game day, and before the most important game of the season next week, the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines are hoping to take care of business on the road against Maryland.
Like the Wolverines, the Terrapins
have an exciting freshman quarterback. Nonetheless, Michigan is much more talented on both sides of the ball, and Michigan is favored to win this one by about two touchdowns. While Maryland has just one Big Ten win, Michigan needs to take care of business and make sure this doesn’t become a trap game.
Here are three things Michigan needs to do to win this game and cover the spread.
Take care of the football
That Northwestern game was way too close for comfort for the Wolverines, who turned the ball over five times before squeaking out a win. While the Terrapins are below average nationally in a lot of statistics, they are 12th in the country in turnover margin.
To avoid an upset, Michigan needs to hold onto the ball. Additionally, Bryce Underwood needs to do a better job dissecting defenses, as my colleague Andrew Bailey broke down this week. I don’t see a route where Maryland pulls off an upset if Michigan wins the turnover battle.
Dominate on the ground and stop the run
Get ready to learn Bryson Kuzdzal, buddy. The former walk-on from Grand Rapids is the next man up after Jordan Marshall injured his shoulder last week.
Even though Michigan isn’t at full strength in the backfield, this is a Michigan team that has played its best ball as of late, as Mike Locksley pointed out earlier this week. The Terps struggle to run the football (117th nationally in rushing offense) and aren’t much better at stopping the run (103rd).
Controlling the clock and playing the smash-mouth football Sherrone Moore has made his identity can deflate the Terrapins relatively quickly.
Take away a Terp strength and sack the quarterback
Malik Washington has quietly been a bright spot for this Maryland team. The freshman quarterback has had some impressive flashes, throwing for 2,294 yards and 13 touchdowns, along with rushing for 269 yards and four touchdowns at a 6.9 yards per carry clip.
Wink Martindale said earlier this week he’s confident Michigan can contain Washington. Maryland has kept him upright most of the season by only giving up four sacks, a mark that’s tied for second-best in the country.
Michigan needs to flip that strength on it’s head. Derrick Moore, Michigan’s sack leader, could use a big game in his home state, and the Wolverines need to make life uncomfortable for Washington. Michigan needs to throw some NFL-style blitzes at him and at least force him to make tough throws. Don’t let Washington beat you and ruin your College Football Playoff chances before The Game next week.
What else does Michigan need to do to win this one? Let us know in the comments.
