Michigan takes on Maryland in the annual homecoming game, and it’s going to rain. Again.
What’s homecoming without a deluge? We really don’t remember, but we feel bad for anyone not sitting in the press box or in the club seats … especially sideline reporter Doug Karsch, who will probably do his best Jim Cantore amid the 18 mph gusts.
It’s also the day that the ugliest helmets in college football (crash test dummy meets coat of arms slapped on a NASCAR shell) come to town, and with it a team we don’t really have a feel for. The Terrapins, coached by some guy from Saskatchewan while former U-M assistant D.J. Durkin awaits his fate, have waxed Texas, been waxed by Temple and have had two weeks to prepare for the Wolverines.
But Maryland has some talent, and this is a game in which Michigan had better come out crisp. Fall behind early, and you possibly get last year’s Michigan State game – “rain, schmain, we’re goin’ five wide!”
Now’s the time for the Wolverines to get serious if they want to contend for a title. They’ve got the Terps, Wisconsin and then Michigan State on the road over the next several weeks … win all three and they’ve got a bye week to prepare for Penn State.
It’s all there in front of them, and it’s time they produced.
Congratulations to last week’s winner, ________________. We’re proud of you. This week’s receives dinner with Detroit News reporter Angelique Chengelis at The Slurping Turtle (on her!).
The picks:
CHRIS BALAS: Memories …
Back in 1985, Maryland’s band actually marched into Michigan Stadium with a chant that implored U-M fans to wipe their behinds … and in a pretty vulgar way. It was weird … but not as weird as seeing Maryland in the Big Ten 33 years later.
The Wolverines took care of business with a 20-0 shutout that day. This Saturday it’s Michigan 34, Maryland 13
JOHN BORTON: What do Maryland and Michigan (following a three-point win over Northwestern) have in common? Easy — they’re dealing with an inordinate amount of crusty crabs. The Wolverines can shove theirs overboard, at least for a week, with a right-the-ship win at home. But a team that pinched both Texas and Minnesota thus far might not see blowout on the menu. Michigan 34, Maryland 17
BRANDON BROWN: Maryland has some players but not quite enough to beat Michigan inside The Big House. If this were at Maryland it might be a little scary, but U-M should be able to roll. Michigan 34, Maryland 13
AUSTIN FOX: This has been a difficult Michigan team to figure out so far this year. It looked like it had finally turned a corner after its destruction of Nebraska, but then came out flat as can be last Saturday against Northwestern before barely squeaking out the win.
So what will do it tomorrow? Perhaps something in between. The Wolverines have a chance to prove last week was a fluke, and that they are indeed on their way to becoming elite by destroying what appears to be a quality Maryland team. It just doesn’t feel like Michigan has what it takes to be elite … yet. Michigan 28, Maryland 17
ANDREW HUSSEY: With one of the best defenses in the country, Michigan will overwhelm Maryland. Maryland doesn’t have a good enough offense to move the ball consistently against Michigan. Shea Patterson should be able to move the ball with ease against this Maryland defense. Michigan 31, Maryland 14
DOUG SKENE: Final tune up before the trio of red letter games begins. Michigan 28, Maryland 13
DREW HALLETT: So which Maryland outfit will show up on Saturday: the one that beat Texas (again) and mauled Minnesota or the one that [double-checks my notes] Temple dominated at home? The former seems more likely as the Terrapins will actually have their starting quarterback in this match-up for a change and a three-headed running attack of Ty Johnson, Tayon Fleet-Davis, and Anthony McFarland.
However, Maryland has a boom-or-bust offense, ranking 114th in efficiency and fourth explosiveness. Though the Terps may break a long touchdown or two, they will be running into a brick wall for most of the day because Michigan is sixth in defensive efficiency. As a result, they won't be able to keep pace with the Wolverines' offense, which rediscovers its groove at home in the Big House. Michigan 31, Maryland 14
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