Michigan Football: Grading the Wolverines win against Maryland

Special teams and analysis

As the weeks go by, the Wolverines seem to find a new way to win each game. Special teams might not have won the game, but specialty players certainly provided huge momentum boosts at critical moments.

Special teams

Grade: A+

15 minutes before kickoff, the stadium in College Park was half full or half empty, depending on how you look at it. Regardless, the Maryland fanbase knew they were in for a disappointing loss, and that’s just what they got right off the bat.

Giles Jackson caught a kick on the three and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown, starting what would become a blowout victory on the road.

Just as you thought the men on special teams were done, the upback Michael Barret received a direct snap on a fake punt and rushed the ball for a first down giving a spark to the offense in what had become a snooze fest. In the next play, Shea hit Nico for 51 yards.

Matt’s musings

The Wolverines won a game they were supposed to win, that’s there calling card. Now, they head into an idle week with Michigan State on the horizon.

If they hope for victory in The Big House against an in-state rival, the offense must wake up and perform better than what we saw in Maryland; otherwise, it’s going to be a rough few weeks.