The Michigan Wolverines hit the road one final time in 2025 this weekend to take on the Maryland Terrapins. Does this have all the makings of a classic trap game? What do we need to see to feel even a little confidence heading into The Game? We answer those questions and more in this week’s Roundtable!
Another week, another stressful game. Give us a couple takeaways from Michigan’s walk-off at Wrigley against Northwestern.
Von: This team just can’t get out of its own way. The Wolverines out-gained
Northwestern by 251 yards, had 31 less penalty yards, went 10-of-15 on third down compared to Northwestern’s 2-of-12, ran 24 more plays and won the time of possession battle…but turned the ball over five times and kept giving the Wildcats opportunities to win the game. Doing that against tougher teams will result in blowout losses; Michigan is lucky to have won that game last weekend.
Grace: I was so excited about the development we saw from players on the offense and the connection between Andrew Marsh and Bryce Underwood. The turnovers put some dirt on what seemed like a shining performance. On the defense, I thought the team played with intensity and focus. Northwestern had great field position the whole day and the defense did enough to keep them out of the end zone on key drives.
Matt: This team cannot get out of its own way. While missed field goals technically don’t count as turnovers, if you pretend they do since it gives the opposition the ball, Michigan had seven turnovers in this game. Michigan had 11 possessions, punted just once, and still only scored 24 points. It’s so statistically improbable that you just have to marvel at it. The main takeaway has to be the continued failing of the special teams unit. Two missed field goals and a fumble add to what has already been the worst season for one unit in recent memory.
Nick: If you’ve seen the meme that ends with “Oh nice, we won,” you’d know that perfectly encapsulates this team right now. My first takeaway is this team is still young, and it shows. We see highlight reel plays every now and then, but you see just as many small miscues like pre-snap penalties or broken plays with missed assignments. It’s something you’d hope is cleaned up by now, but by this point in the season it might just be who they are. My second takeaway is it’s a good thing this group is getting into these dog fights, because it’s giving them tests against adversity early in their careers. Even though it’s stressful and a bit frustrating now, perhaps these games will be good in the long run.
Kellen: Way too many turnovers and questionable coaching. I’m not going to call for Sherrone Moore’s head, but these late-game mistakes do make you worry for The Game.
Sam: Where do we start? For a while there I was sure Bryce had blossomed into the star we all expected. And he was. But those picks were bad and will cost Michigan against more talented (Ohio State) competition. The Jordan Marshall injury seems like he avoid worst-case scenario, so that’s great to hear. Zvada continues to worry me; where is the mojo from last year? He redeemed himself at the end, but still. The defense had some slip-ups, but you have to feel good about where they are on the season.
Dan: If it weren’t for two picks, this was easily the best game of Bryce Underwood’s career. Timing with receivers, especially Andrew Marsh, is looking much better, and he read the Northwestern defense really well. I’m also really happy with the defense, particularly up front. Northwestern had a good offensive line and had run the ball well several times, and Michigan held the Wildcats to 2.3 yards per carry. If it weren’t for the turnovers, missed field goals and questionable play calling with the lead, this game wouldn’t have been close.
Up next is another lowly team in Maryland that has lost six straight games. Regardless of the result, what do you need to see in this game to feel even a little confident about Michigan’s chances vs the Buckeyes next week?
Von: I need to see mistake-free football. Not to say there can’t be any mistakes, but I can’t see any offsides penalties that give the opposing offense a free first down. I can’t see Bryce Underwood honing in on one receiver the entire time and throwing into coverage and getting picked off. I can’t see Semaj Morgan returning any punts (or even being on the field…). I need to see a clean game on both sides of the ball because even a couple critical errors will doom this team against Ohio State next week.
Grace: Limited mistakes. This team has traveled a ton this season and having back-to-back road games can’t be easy. I just want to see them come out and play a relatively clean game and build off the momentum from Northwestern.
Matt: Going into the Northwestern game, there were only two things I was looking for — a win and improvement by Bryce Underwood. Despite the shenanigans of the game, I’d say both boxes were quasi-checked. Against Maryland, I have to see a blowout. Michigan has won six Big Ten games, but I would argue every single one was disappointingly close (save maybe Washington). The Wolverines desperately need to fire on all cylinders and actually smash a team it is supposed to smash in order for me to gain any confidence heading into Ohio State.
Nick: There’s not really a specific thing I’m looking for so much as the product to just be cleaner than it’s been. This team is ripe with talent that can make the big plays necessary to beat a team like Ohio State, it’s just a matter of consistency and putting together their best 60 minutes for once. I don’t necessarily need to see them drop 50 points like they did against Northwestern last year, but a game with fewer untimely penalties and fewer turnovers would be nice.
Kellen: I want to see this not be a close game. Michigan needs to keep its foot on the pedal and fine-tune the offensive struggles we’ve seen in recent weeks. I also want to see Michigan do a better job at creating pressure.
Sam: More leaning on the offensive line. Over 200 on the ground at Wrigley was encouraging, and it needs to remain the recipe for the Wolverines’ chances against the Buckeyes. Ultimately, it comes down to Bryce. Michigan needs balance to beat Ohio State; that defense is too good to attack one dimensionally.
Dan: Execution from start to finish in all three phases. That doesn’t mean touchdowns on every drive or zero yards allowed — it’s showcasing a consistent game plan offensively, not playing with our food and avoiding special teams mistakes. It’s been a long time since we have seen the team do that. If the Wolverines can’t do that against Maryland, it likely won’t happen in The Game.
Do you think this is a classic trap game? Is the week before The Game always a trap game in your opinion?
Von: There certainly have been some trap games in Week 13 over the years — including at Maryland two years ago — but I don’t view this one as a trap game. The Terps’ run game is atrocious, as starting running back DeJuan Williams is 25th in the conference in rushing yards (409) and only has two touchdowns. The Wolverines’ run defense has been fantastic and should continue to be in this game. Maryland is going to have to rely on freshman quarterback in Malik Washington to have a shot, and he has been brutal in Big Ten play with seven touchdowns to six interceptions, including two touchdowns and four picks in the month of November.
Grace: Yes and Yes. With this team, though, a lot of them are getting ready to play in their first game against Ohio State, and I can see them getting ahead of themselves. They have the talent, they just need to stay focused. I’d like to see them play Maryland like they played Northwestern ahead of The Game last season. Get things clicking at the right time.
Matt: In order for a game to be considered a trap game, you’d have to look past your opponent to future opponents on your schedule. Given Michigan’s inability to put away just about anyone until very late in the game, I highly doubt the coaches and players are looking past a Maryland team that’s on par with Michigan State/Purdue/Northwestern. In most years, this would be a trap game. This year, the team isn’t good enough to game plan for anyone more than one week out, so no, this is not a trap game.
Nick: I’m always worried regardless of the opponent, and we’ve seen Michigan have some close calls in this spot over the years. Think back to Maryland in 2023, Illinois in 2022 and Indiana in 2018. There’s always going to be an emphasis on Ohio State, but you can’t ultimately give The Game the big stage it deserves if you trip over your feet the week before. With a young team, that’s all the more important.
Kellen: In theory, yes, every game before The Game is a trap game. But this is a Maryland team that is reeling, and whenever you have to come out with a statement that essentially says, “Hey guys, cut it out, we’re not firing our coach this season,” it’s never a good sign. Malik Washington is good enough to make this a game, but the rest of Maryland doesn’t scare me a whole lot.
Sam: I would normally say yes, but that Northwestern game felt so trappy and it is tough to have back-to-back trap games. I think scratching out the win gave Michigan a bit of a new lease on life, a realization that will help against Maryland.
Dan: Yes and yes. Michigan-Ohio State is one the most anticipated matchups of the year every season. These players are always asked what they are doing today to beat Ohio State. That game is nearly upon us, and Michigan is going on the road to face a Maryland team fighting for bowl eligibility. It’s really easy to overlook Maryland in this one and slip up.
Give us a bold prediction for the game.
Von: Bryce Underwood plays a clean game with zero turnovers and three total touchdowns.
Grace: Michigan wins by a lot.
Matt: Due to last week’s turnovers, Michigan overcorrects in the opposite direction by never putting the ball in harm’s way. The Wolverines run for 250+ yards, but Bryce Underwood attempts less than 20 passes.
Nick: I’ve got Bryce Underwood throwing two touchdowns. Despite the interceptions at the end of the game against Northwestern, you can’t deny the passing attack looked much cleaner than it had in the past. Add in the fact we’re likely not going to see Jordan Marshall get run into the ground, and there’s the recipe for the passing game to have another big (or at least respectable) performance.
Kellen: I nailed my bold prediction last week with Bryce Underwood throwing for 280 yards (albeit there were a whole lot of mistakes he made). I think he follows it up with throwing for 250 yards and no picks in this game.
Sam: Donaven McCulley goes off. Andrew Marsh has been excellent and will need to stay excellent, but now that he has grown into a focal point, I expect more opportunities for McCulley, especially on those deep go routes with man coverage.
Dan: Bryson Kuzdzal leads the team in touches and yards, and scores twice. Derrick Moore rebounds with two sacks.
What’s the final score and why?
Von (10-0): Michigan 24, Maryland 14. The Wolverines return to Ann Arbor with a win and enter The Game with all their College Football Playoff hopes and dreams still alive.
Grace (7-2): Michigan, 41-17. I am sorry to everyone, but the reason is I’m tired of the close games. Give me Michigan to look like the real deal on Saturday.
Matt (8-0): Michigan 24, Maryland 21. The Terrapins are one of the worst rushing offenses in the country, which makes them very one-dimensional. Their passing game could give Michigan some troubles, but not a ton. The Michigan offense will get just enough done on the ground to win this and head into The Game at 9-2.
Nick (5-0): I think it’ll be close-ish again, so give me Michigan, 27-17. Maryland has a true freshman quarterback of its own in Malik Washington that can make some big plays. I think he’ll get to the Michigan secondary a bit, but not enough to ultimately win the game.
Kellen (9-1): Michigan wins, 24-10, largely because Maryland is bad and Michigan is not nearly as bad.
Sam (4-0): Michigan, 31-17. Too much to play for these last two weeks, too much power in the trenches, and too much faith in Underwood to believe otherwise.
Dan (7-2): A few weeks ago, I said I thought this was a game Michigan loses. But now that we are here, I just can’t do it. Give me the Wolverines by a field goal, 20-17.
