Michigan Football needed a game like Maryland

Michigan football got tested by Maryland on Saturday, but it could prove to be a good thing, and here’s why. 

Although Michigan football didn’t cover the 17-point spread against Maryland on Saturday, the Wolverines eventually came away with a 34-27 victory. It wasn’t the prettiest and was even stressful at times, but the Michigan Wolverines needed a game like Maryland. As much as I would’ve liked another 50-point win, today was necessary for a number of reasons.

1. J.J. McCarthy

This was new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s first real challenge of the season. Despite the fact that SMU tore through their defense last weekend in a loss, Maryland is miles ahead of any competition Michigan has played thus far.

As a result, JJ’s inexperience showed at times. McCarthy still finished with 220 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked twice and nearly threw an interception in the endzone. It’s good for McCarthy to face some real opposition as opposed to what little he faced in Michigan’s first three games. Getting McCarthy comfortable starting against Big Ten defenses is going to be huge for the Wolverines, especially as they travel to Iowa City next weekend to take on the Hawkeyes.

2. The Defense

As is the case with McCarthy on offense, the Wolverine defense needed a real challenge. Taulia Tagovailoa is one of the better quarterbacks in the Big Ten and looked like it today. There were possessions where it seemed Michigan’s defense had no answers to Tagovailoa’s arm. If this is a team that wants to stop CJ Stroud in November, we have to be able to stop Taulia Tagovailoa now.

Despite momentary lapses where Michigan’s pass rush felt non-existent, the Wolverines were able to dig in and find their footing. The Wolverines still gave up 397 total yards but finished with three sacks and three turnovers. RJ Moten and DJ Turner both stepped up big with miraculous interceptions. Although Turner’s probably shouldn’t have counted.

3. The Coaching Staff

Not only did the players need to face some adversity, but the coaching staff most definitely needed to. Jim Harbaugh is no stranger to coaching in Big Ten games. His coordinators, on the other hand, are a different story. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and co-offensive coordinators Sherrone Moore and Matt Weiss all coached their first game as coordinators in the Big Ten.

Minter’s defense is running the same scheme as last season with Mike Macdonald, yet today was the challenge Minter needed to prove he is the guy. Let’s be honest, the defensive staff was never really challenged with tough decisions or play calls in their non-conference games.

The same can be said on the offensive end of the ball. The offensive coaching staff was given their first real test on how the two-coordinator system will actually work.

Even Joel Klatt mentioned during the broadcast that he couldn’t get an answer on who was actually calling plays and wasn’t sure how it would work. If today is any indication, Moore and Weiss should be fine calling plays together.

The Bottom Line: Ohio State

At the end of the day, everything Michigan football does is to beat Ohio State and win a national championship. Preparing for that moment takes practice in overcoming adversity.

Today, the Wolverines were given their first chance to prove they could fight back with their backs against the wall. If we want to beat Ohio State, it begins with winning games like today.