STAFF PREDICTIONS
WolverinesWire staff writers Isaiah Hole and Trent Knoop will share their thoughts on the game, two soft predictions, one bold prediction and the final score.
Isaiah Hole:
Michigan will certainly have its hands full defensively on Saturday.
Maryland has perhaps the deepest wide receiver room the Wolverines will face outside of Ohio State, and it appears its running game has gotten going thus far this year. However, the only team that the Terps have faced with a pulse is SMU, and the Mustangs probably should have beaten Maryland in College Park.
What does that say for the collection of talent that Maryland is about to face on both sides of the ball?
Michigan will have to be stout in both the run and the pass instead of just teeing off against the pass, here. The big question for me is if the pass rush is able to get home when Taulia Tagovailoa does have the ball in his hands.
Even if the defense stumbles a bit, Michigan’s offense should be able to do pretty much whatever it wants against the Terrapin defense. The Terps have been OK this year, until the SMU game, but Buffalo and Charlotte don’t pose much of a challenge.
Despite many saying this will be a big test for Michigan, I’m not convinced. Michigan has much more talent and depth than Maryland, and I don’t expect it to look much different than it has in previous years.
-Soft predictions
- J.J. McCarthy completes 75% or more of his passes again
- McCarthy gets over 250-yards passing
-Bold prediction
- Michigan’s defense makes Maryland’s offense look pedestrian
-Final score prediction
- Michigan 48, Maryland 17
Trent Knoop:
This is going to be the first true test for Michigan after playing three teams that have a combined 2-11 record this season. But I think the Wolverines are going to be ready for the challenge.
Like the past three seasons, Maryland has a prolific offense but a very suspect defense. Taulia Tagovailoa is one of the best passers in all of football and he has a ton of weapons to throw the ball to. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if the Terps pick the Wolverines apart the first few drives before the Wolverines regroup and throw some creative packages for the Maryland offense.
If the Wolverines can create some havoc against Tagovailoa and get a sack or two against him early, then I’m not sure the Terps will have an effective day whatsoever. But the Terrapins have a solid offensive line and I don’t know how easy it will be for Michigan to get ahold of Tagovailoa.
On the other side of the ball, Maryland is one of the worst defenses against the pass. I believe J.J. McCarthy will continue to look like a five-star player and will continue to gain confidence against a team he should be able to sling the rock against. Michigan also has a ton of weapons and that should show this game.
In the end, I look for Michigan to have a huge second half and pull away from Maryland.
-Soft predictions
- J.J. McCarthy throws three touchdown passes
- One Michigan wide receiver catches for over 100 yards
-Bold prediction
- The Wolverines surpass 550 yards of total offense
Final score prediction
- Michigan 42, Maryland 24
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