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This Week at The Wolverine Den

Game Weather

Game Preview

The Michigan Wolverines play their final road game of the year with a trip to College Park, Maryland to battle the Maryland Terrapins. Maryland is 4-6 on the season after winning their first 4 games and then losing their next 6 games. In the 7 years under coach Mike Locksley, Maryland has never had a winning record in the Big Ten. They are 1-6 this year in conference play and haven't had a winning season in the conference for 11 straight years. Yet, somehow, Maryland Athletic Director Jim Smith announced this week that Locksley will return as the Maryland head coach next season.

Maryland is led by QB Malik Washington. He is a true-Freshman, like Bryce. Washington was the #54 recruit in the nation last year (Bryce was #1) and was the #5 ranked quarterback. He has size similar to Bryce ( 6'5" and 230 lbs.). He also has some running ability. But in his true-Freshman season, he is 106th in the nation in passing efficiency, last in the Big Ten. Overall, the Terrapin offense is 101st in the nation with 343.9 yards per game. Combine that with a defense that is 88th in the nation (15th in the Big Ten) and it is easy to see why they have only one win in the conference.

The Wolverine Den Trivia

What Michigan athletic teams are currently ranked in their sport?

There are two stats of note for Maryland. They are 2nd in the nation in only allowing 4 sacks all season. And they are 2nd in the nation with 18 interceptions this year. The Terps are 3-3 at home and two of those losses were very close games against Washington and Nebraska.

For Michigan, this is the ultimate trap game, on the road lodged right before The Game. The Wolverines will be without Justice Haynes and may be without Jordan Marshall. The running game could fall to Bryson Kuzdal, a former walk on. Kuzdal had 15 carries last week against Northwestern after Marshall was injured but is definitely not in the same category as Marshall or Haynes. There are also reports from practice that H-back Max Bredeson has been working at tailback. While Jordan Marshall has not been ruled out, Michigan will certainly have a different running attack this week. Bryce Underwood threw for 280 yards last week and he will need to have another big game to keep the Wolverines in control.

The Wolverines are 11-1 all-time against Maryland and have a 51% chance to make the playoffs with wins in their final two games (according to the Allstate Playoff Predictor).

Michigan is a 14 point favorite.

Tim's Prediction

24-14

Craig's Prediction

24-19

Brown's Prediction

28-17

Steve's Prediction