Michigan Football: What you should know about Maryland

Michigan football turns its attention to Maryland this week, as it looks to win its third straight game. Here’s what you need to know about the Terrapins.

At the beginning of the season, when Maryland upset Texas on the road, the Terrapins looked like a potentially difficult game for Michigan football. But after a 3-1 start, Maryland is 1-4, while the Wolverines come into winners of two straight.

Related Story: How Michigan can salvage its season

Now, just because the Wolverines have played good football the past two weeks, doesn’t mean Maryland will be a walk in the park. Michigan football comes in playing as well as it has all season, but winning on the road in the Big Ten is never easy, regardless of opponent.

For Michigan, there is plenty at stake. The Wolverines (7-2) need to keep winning if they want to make a New Year’s Day Bowl. They also have a slim shot in the Big Ten East if they win out.

However, Maryland will also be plenty motivated. After hosting UM, the Terps travel to Michigan State and play at home against Penn State. With two wins needed to make a bowl game Maryland (4-5), D.J. Durkin’s squad is in must-win mode, especially at home.

Durkin, the former defensive coordinator for Michigan football, is 10-12 at Maryland. The Terps have beaten Texas, Towson, Minnesota and Indiana this season. They have also lost to Central Florida, Ohio State, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Rutgers. And outside of the Rutgers loss, Maryland’s losses have been in blowout fashion by an average of 25 points.

MORE: 3 Takeaways from the win over Minnesota

All that sets up well for Michigan football.

Maryland does have a solid offense, ranking fourth in the Big Ten in scoring (29.9 PPG), but the Terps are actually just 11th in total yards (337). The run game is the best part of the attack, averaging 172 yards (4th Big Ten) and getting 18 rushing touchdowns.

Michigan Wolverines Football

Maryland relies on two backs, who have both received more than 100 carries. Ty Johnson is the leading rusher with 107 attempts for 703 yards (6.6 avg) and five touchdowns. Lorenzo Harrison has also been solid with 431 yards on 103 carries (4.1) and two touchdowns. in all, the Terps have eight different players with a rushing touchdown.

The quarterback position has been a complete mess for the Terps. Four different guys have played this year, with Max Bortenschlager getting most of snaps. He has 172 pass attempts, but is completing just 51 percent of his throws in addition to 1,007 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. Ryan Brand  played in relief last week against Rutgers, going 8-for-12 for 68 yards and could start if needed.

Bortenschlager was injured against Rutgers last week and is going to be a game-time decision. If he is unable to play. Brand, a former walk-on, will start.

Like Minnesota, Maryland doesn’t have much depth at wide receiver, but the Terps do have D.J. Moore, who has 59 receptions for 820 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He is tied for the Big Ten lead in touchdown catches and leads the conference with 91 yards per game.

Slowing down Moore will be a big key for the Michigan defense, but when the Wolverines have the ball, they will face a defense that is less than ferocious.

The Terps are allowing 36 points per game, which is last in the Big Ten by a six-point margin. They are also last in yards allowed with 433 per game, plus rank 11th and 12th, respectively in run and pass defense.

Michigan’s offense isn’t dominant and ranks in the middle of the road is most areas, outside of rush yards, where the Wolverines are third in the Big Ten with 213 yards per game. Yet, Maryland  could be the perfect opponent for a Brandon Peters breakout.

Linebacker Jermaine Carter leads the Maryland defense with 59 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three passes defensed. Fellow linebacker Antoine Brooks has also played well, with 57 tackles, two picks, a pass defensed and a forced fumble.

The secondary also boasts solid players, highlighted by Darnell Savage, who has five passes defensed and three picks. However, J.C. Jackson is right with him (3 INT’s, 3 PBU), while Josh Woods has two picks, a forced fumble and four pass breakups.

Next: Top 10 Michigan Running Backs of All Time

Maryland has some good qualities, but there is a reason the Wolverines are favored by 15. Yet, anything can happen in college football and if UM doesn’t play its best, it could be in for a dog fight Saturday.