Michigan vs. Maryland: Complete Game Preview
The Michigan Wolverines will attempt to continue their winning ways on Saturday, Oct. 3, taking on the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium in College Park.
Michigan (3-1) seems to have become fully intoxicated by the Jim Harbaugh effect, since the first-year head coach has turned a mediocre 2014 squad into an impressive 2015 unit. The Wolverines obliterated then-No. 22 the BYU Cougars 31-0 in Week 3.
Maryland (2-2) must bounce back from a 45-6 beatdown at the hands of the West Virginia Mountaineers, who outgained the Terps 601 yards to 326 yards.
Per Odds Shark, Michigan opened as a 12-point favorite. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.
Michigan Keys to Victory
1 of 6
Run, Run, Run Some More
Perhaps it sounds cliche, but Michigan is improving every week—especially up front.
Since an ugly debut against a great Utah Utes defensive line, the Wolverines have cleared paths for 225 yards and four touchdowns as well as two straight 254-yard, three-score performances.
Maryland, on the other hand, has surrendered 200.3 rushing yards per game and a total of 10 touchdowns. Unless the Terrapins discover a run defense they currently don't have, Michigan should successfully pound away on the ground.
Pressure the Quarterback
The Wolverines made life miserable for BYU gunslinger Tanner Mangum, who was clearly rattled from the outset. He left protected pockets and ultimately completed just 12 of 28 passes.
Unfortunately for the Terps, the outlook isn't favorable for mistake-prone junior quarterback Caleb Rowe. He's thrown nine interceptions in only 64 attempts.
If Michigan generates the same amount of pressure, Maryland does't stand a chance.
Maryland Keys to Victory
2 of 6
Stop Turning It Over...
Even after Rowe's porous outing against West Virginia, Maryland coach Randy Edsall announced he's sticking with the junior, per Roman Stubbs of the Washington Post.
West Virginia limited Rowe to 10 completions on 27 passes, intercepting him four times and backup Daxx Garman once. Plus, Brandon Ross lost a fumble.
Although the No. 2-ranked Michigan defense isn't adept at creating turnovers, the Wolverines haven't missed out on moments to be opportunistic. Channing Stribling and Jeremy Clark picked off UNLV Rebels' Blake Decker on errant throws.
The secondary has been outstanding so far, and Rowe—who hasn't protected the ball—will likely be forced into that lockdown defensive backfield. It might not go well for Rowe once again.
...and Shorten the Game
In 2014, Maryland went into the Big House and ripped off a 14-point fourth quarter to stun Michigan fans, who couldn't have been more eager for the program to rid itself of Brady Hoke.
Repeating an upset victory, however, is improbable at best—unless the Terrapins offense doesn't commit turnovers and bleeds the clock. Additionally, if the defense can display a bend-don't-break mentality and force the Wolverines to sustain possessions, Maryland might have a chance.
Edsall's team is simply outmatched, and reducing the number of possessions at least lessens the chance of Michigan pulling away before halftime like it did to UNLV and BYU.
Michigan Players to Watch
3 of 6
The Running Backs
Every week is another chance to see Harbaugh unleash Michigan's stable of running backs, and Maryland might be the best opportunity.
De'Veon Smith racked up 125 rushing yards on the BYU defense before leaving the sideline on a cart. He returned in a walking boot but, per MLive's Brendan F. Quinn, isn't concerned about the ankle injury.
Nevertheless, if Smith is limited in any fashion, the Wolverines can turn to Ty Isaac, Derrick Green and Drake Johnson. Isaac ran for 114 yards on UNLV, Green logged 10 carries last week and Johnson is arguably the team's best runner when healthy.
The rotation has changed on a weekly basis, and Smith's ankle issue might influence another slight change.
Mario Ojemudia, "Buck" Linebacker
Zach Shaw of the Michigan Daily notes Mario Ojemudia said the coaches expect shutouts every game.
"You have so many great minds out there on our coaching staff, and they expect the most out of us. They expect shutouts every game, and if we don't live up to that, we're not living up to our expectations."
Ojemudia's done his part. He has adjusted to the "Buck" linebacker role in D.J. Durkin's 3-4 defense, and the senior is closing in on the seemingly inevitable dynamic play.
He tallied five tackles against Utah, obliterated a poor UNLV blocker then registered a sack and a quarterback hurry last week. Ojemudia has joined Chris Wormley as a dominant force on the defensive line.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Maryland Players to Watch
4 of 6
Levern Jacobs, Wide Receiver
After scoring a touchdown in the first two outings, Levern Jacobs accumulated eight receptions for 107 yards opposite the South Florida Bulls.
But against West Virginia, he only managed two catches for five yards. Granted, Rowe missed a wide-open Jacobs, so the disappointing day wasn't all on the receiver.
No matter the blame for a particular play, though, Jacobs will probably draw Jourdan Lewis. Michigan's top cornerback has broken up six passes and—other than one touchdown to the Oregon State Beavers—completely shut down his assignment each week.
Lewis will be the biggest test for Jacobs so far in 2015.
Will Likely, Cornerback
Maryland boasts the best punt returner in the nation, and he's not a bad cornerback, either.
Will Likely has already made two house calls, sprinting his way to 67- and 85-yard touchdowns and a Football Bowl Subdivision-leading 28.1 yards per return. Plus, the junior defensive back has notched 20 total tackles, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Michigan needs punter Blake O'Neill to continue limiting the chances for returns, because Likely could make the Wolverines regret giving him a shot.
What They're Saying
5 of 6
Michigan
Per Shaw, Harbaugh lauded the whole team's performance after the 31-0 shutout victory over a ranked BYU team.
"It's great to be a part of a shutout," Harbaugh said. "Everybody did a great job — players, coaches, everybody. When you only give up 105 yards, that's really special. We were outstanding in so many areas."
Maryland
Conversely, according to Daniel Gallen of the Carroll County Times, right guard Andrew Zeller said Maryland simply needed everyone to be better against West Virginia.
"You can't just single out one person," Zeller said. "It was the whole team. Offense, defense and special teams who didn't compete at the level we needed to compete at in order to win to his game, and that's why we lost."
Prediction
6 of 6
Maryland's uniform is bound to look great, but that's about it for positives.
The ever-improving Michigan run game dictates the pace of the game, the Wolverines defensive line causes numerous headaches for Rowe and O'Neill doesn't allow Likely to return a punt.
Smith, Isaac and Green each reach the end zone, while quarterback Jake Rudock builds off his best game in a Michigan jersey and avoids an interception for the second straight outing.
Michigan starts Big Ten action on a winning note and records its fourth consecutive victory, while Maryland drops to 2-3 before traveling to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Prediction: Michigan 31, Maryland 6
All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
