Will Michigan Beat Maryland to Become Bowl-Eligible?
Michigan has fought back from a brutal 2-4 start to be one win away from a bowl berth. With two games to play, Brady Hoke’s best chance to take his team bowling depends on beating Maryland in Michigan’s home finale.
A win would salvage some dignity for the team’s 12 seniors and preserve Hoke’s slim chance of retaining his job.
A loss would mean Michigan’s bowl hopes would rest on defeating Ohio State in Columbus, something even the most optimistic Michigan fan would acknowledge is very unlikely.
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Reasons Michigan Will Win
Quarterback Devin Gardner
When Devin Gardner is at his best, he can completely dominate a game—see last season versus Notre Dame and Ohio State or this season versus Appalachian State. Brady Hoke said that Gardner rested during the bye week, and his health was improving. That might mean less passing and more slashing with Gardner using his legs to cause problems for Maryland.
Last year Gardner saved his best performance for last, coming within a two-point conversion of upsetting Ohio State. If he’s truly healthy Maryland might not be able to stop him.
Michigan’s Defense
Michigan’s defense is currently ranked No. 8 in the nation, a development that has been overshadowed by the total collapse of its offense. Linebacker Jake Ryan—90 tackles, 56 solo, per cfbstats.com—is having a great season, and the defensive line has been solid. If freshman Jabrill Peppers had stayed healthy and Blake Countess had returned to top form the secondary might have been spectacular.
Ryan and his teammates should have no problem containing an offense which is 111th in the nation.
Maryland’s Injuries
Maryland’s wide receiver ranks have been thinned by injury problems (Stefon Diggs) and discipline issues (Juwann Winfree). The loss of the team’s top receiver, Diggs (52 receptions for 654 yards and five touchdowns), is especially damaging.
These latest losses further decimate a position group that was already struggling to replace players, according to Roman Stubbs of The Washington Post:
"One of the team’s leading receivers from 2013, Nigel King, transferred to Kansas in August. Then came the season-long suspension of junior starter Levern Jacobs, and his younger brother, Taivon Jacobs, suffered a torn ACL in the season opener against James Madison.
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The Michigan defense should have the advantage of working against quarterback C.J. Brown as he tries to link up with inexperienced receivers.
Reasons Michigan Will Lose
Quarterback Devin Gardner
Gardner has been in a season-long downward spiral since the season opener. He’s usually his own worst enemy, throwing ill-advised passes that often end up being intercepted (13). If Gardner can’t scramble and he starts forcing the ball downfield, Maryland will have opportunities to convert turnovers into points.
If Gardner struggles, the game might be a replay of the Northwestern game (10-9), giving Maryland the edge with kicker Brad Craddock having hit 14 straight field goals this season.
No Frank Clark
The Michigan defensive line has improved dramatically over the course of the season. But defensive end Frank Clark will be missed after being dismissed from the team. He had been a key part of the line’s improvement.
If Maryland can wear down his replacements (Mario Ojemudia and Taco Charlton) or, even worse, get its run going in his absence, then Michigan could be in trouble.
Michigan Should Win Unless…
The Maryland passing attack is in rough shape with being down so many wide receivers. The Michigan defense should be able to keep the Terrapins from scoring a lot of points unless turnovers give them a short field to work with.
Everything adds up to a Michigan victory if Devin Gardner can limit his turnovers.
Phil Callihan is a featured writer for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations obtained firsthand.
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