Highlights: Michigan 35, Maryland 10

Tag: Maryland


12Nov 2017
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Michigan 35, Maryland 10

Zach Gentry (image via WTOP)

That is what we expected. I’ve seen a fair amount of consternation about Michigan “only” winning by 25 points, which I find to be somewhat humorous. I picked a 31-10 win in Friday’s preview, and I saw some other predictions that were in the general vicinity. A 25-point win for the Wolverines isn’t anything to shake a stick at, and yet people were complaining. Michigan went up 28-0 before being outscored 10-7, but that’s a blip. This is a young team at most spots, and expecting them to completely obliterate Maryland seemed like a stretch. This isn’t a team that should be expected to squeeze out a 56-0 win against the Terrapins, who have some talent. One reason is . . .

The injuries are mounting. Michigan is in somewhat of a precarious position going into games against Wisconsin and Ohio State over the next two weeks. Aside from missing a starting LT (Grant Newsome), the starting QB (Wilton Speight), and the #1 WR (Tarik Black) with long-term injuries, the Wolverines were without the starting RG (Mike Onwenu) and a part-time starting RB (Ty Isaac), and in this game, they lost starting RB Karan Higdon, DE Rashan Gary, LB Mike McCray, and CB Lavert Hill for stretches. In the latter stages of this game, Michigan was down 8 players that should be starting (plus Ty Isaac, who was the leading rusher until recently). Every team goes through injuries, but not many teams find a 25-point win disappointing when that many players are injured.

Hit the jump for more.

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10Nov 2017
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Preview: Michigan at Maryland

RUSH OFFENSE vs. MARYLAND RUSH DEFENSE

Michigan has moved up to #29 nationally with 213 yards/game on the ground. They’re #38 in rushing average (4.98 yards/carry). Junior running back Karan Higdon has taken the lead with about 30 more carries than the top two other backs, and he’s now on pace to top 1,000 yards for the season (804 yards, 10 TDs). The Wolverines ran the ball all over Minnesota last week, with nearly 400 yards on the ground and three 60+ yard runs (2 by Chris Evans, 1 by Higdon). Michigan has improved its run blocking up front, partly due to the insertion of Juwann Bushell-Beatty at right tackle a few weeks ago. Maryland, meanwhile, is #77 in rush defense (175 yards allowed/game) and in yards per carry allowed (4.46). The leading tackler is senior linebacker Jermaine Carter, Jr. (6’0″, 228 lbs.) with 59, but the next three leading tacklers are all defensive backs. The leading tackler for losses is sophomore nickelback Antoine Brooks, Jr. (5’11”, 210) with 7.5, followed by Carter’s 6.0. Altogether, the Terrapins are tied for #81 in tackles for loss with 49 so far. They run a hybrid 3-4/4-3 with a standup Buck linebacker who plays like a weakside end. Coming off a week in which Michigan ran for almost 400 yards and Maryland gave up 239 rushing yards to Rutgers, the Wolverines should be in decent shape.
Advantage: Michigan

Hit the jump for the rest of the preview.

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30Mar 2017
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Recruiting Snapshot: Maryland

Anthony McFarland, Jr.

Anthony McFarland, Jr. (image via 247 Sports)

2017 Team Ranking: #18. Maryland signed eight 4-stars and twenty 3-stars.

Cream of the 2017 Crop: Is it possible that anyone’s better than wide receiver/cornerback Fofie Bazzie? I think not. It’s not often this can be said, but it’s hard to determine which player is the crown jewel of Maryland’s class because there are so many good options. The highest ranked player is Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha’s Anthony McFarland, Jr., a running back who missed most of his senior year with a leg injury. He’s the #100 overall player in the class and has some big-play ability. The Terps also landed Oxon Hill (MD) Potomac cornerback Deon Jones (#175 overall), Bridgeton (NJ) Bridgeton safety Markquese Bell (#191 overall), and Washington (DC) St. John’s quarterback Kasim Hill (#240 overall), all skill guys who could be difference-makers at the next level. In addition, Maryland has really struggled in the trenches in recent years, but they signed DeMatha offensive guard Marcus Minor (#225 overall) and Owings Mills (MD) McDonough offensive tackle Jordan McNair (#285 overall). Hill is a guy who looked pretty good, especially as a runner, in the Under Armour All-American Game:

Hit the jump for a look at the 2018 class.

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8Nov 2016
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Michigan vs. Maryland Awards

Tyree Kinnel

Tyree Kinnel

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Grant Perry. Perry is Michigan’s fourth-leading receiver by yards, though he has just 6 receptions on the year. However, he has been a reliable target at slot receiver for both Jake Rudock and Wilton Speight over the past year and a half, and he’s a decent blocker. Unfortunately, he found himself in some trouble over the bye week a few weeks ago, and he appears to be working himself out of the doghouse. Michigan didn’t need him on Saturday, but it would be nice to have all options available down the stretch.

Hit the jump for more on Saturday’s win over Maryland.

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