Getty Images
After starting out the season 2-4, Michigan has turned their season around by winning three of their last four games. They currently sit at 5-5 and are on the brink of becoming bowl-eligible. If they want to get to that six-win mark, it will likely have to come this week at home against Maryland. They would need a huge upset to beat Ohio State on the road in their last game of the season.
The Michigan football program is going to have a new AD and likely a new head coach replacing Brady Hoke going into next season. Playing for a December bowl game may not seem too illustrious, but it would be a great way for this young Michigan roster to build towards bigger and better things next season.
If they want to win on Saturday, Michigan will need to run the ball. Maryland currently ranks 99th in the country, giving up 198.3 yards per game on the ground. Running the football happens to be the only area Michigan has excelled at offensively the last couple of weeks. Against Indiana, Drake Johnson had a breakout performance, and last week De’Veon Smith was great against Northwestern. That trend will need to continue this week.
Maryland is currently 6-4, but doesn’t have any signature wins. They have been blown out by the top teams and really don’t have an identity. They rank 68th in the country in points per game scored and 84th in points per game against. The Michigan defense ranks eighth in the country in yards per game given up, and should have no trouble containing the Maryland offense.
Running the ball and playing great defense is the old-school Michigan way, and it is their best opportunity to win Saturday and become bowl-eligible.
The game will be close, but I see Michigan coming out on top. They have the home-field advantage and their strengths are what Maryland struggles against. Maryland has struggled putting up points against great defenses and has not been able to stop the run all season long.
Prediction: Michigan 24, Maryland 17
David Cuff is a University of Michigan Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DaveCuff, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
