Michigan vs Maryland College Football Week 5 Preview, TV Schedule, Prediction

TV Schedule: Saturday, October 3, 8:00 p.m. ET, BTN

Location: Byrd Stadium, College Park, MD

Line: Michigan (-16)

The No. 22 Michigan Wolverines (3-1) have taken quite well to new head coach Jim Harbaugh, winning their last three games in dominant fashion after a rough season-opening loss. After a long hiatus from the top 25 by Michigan standards, the Wolverines are ranked once again and headed east to open up Big Ten play against the Maryland Terrapins (2-2) in College Park.

As the season has unfolded, Michigan has begun to take on more and more of Harbaugh’s personality and coaching philosophy with physical play on both sides of the ball. That mentality was on full display last week when the Wolverines dominated the BYU Cougars in a 31-0 rout in the Big House. De’Veon Smith has been a key part of Harbaugh’s renovation offensively as the running back has been a focal point of the offense. He leads the team with 331 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 69 carries this season, including 125 with a score last week on just 16 carries. The team will need consistent play from quarterback Jake Rudock like he had in Week 4 after three straight games with an interception to open the season, including three picks in the season-opening loss to the Utah Utes.

Maryland has struggled early this season on the defensive side of the ball, ranking No. 13 in the Big Ten allowing 467.3 yards of offense to opposing teams per game. In the team’s two losses, including a 45-6 blowout loss last week to the West Virginia Mountaineers, the Terps have allowed a whopping 686.5 yards of total offense per game (and just 288.0 yards per game allowed in their two wins). If Maryland’s defense struggles to contain the Michigan offense, which they may after allowing 200 yards or more rushing in each of their last three games (including 304 last week against WVU), the Terrapins will be in for a long Saturday night.

With Michigan looking like a revitalized program under Jim Harbaugh with their return to the top 25, the spotlight will be on the Wolverines to maintain their strong showing during their winning streak as they go on the road to open conference play. Will they be able to stay focused and avoid the upset?

Prediction: Michigan 34, Maryland 13

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