3 keys for Michigan football to beat Maryland without Jim Harbaugh

Dominate the run game

Running the football is going to be extremely important in these next two games for Michigan football, but when I say dominate the run game — I mean on defense too.

Maryland has Taulia Tagovailoa — one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. But last season, when the Terps gave Michigan football a scare, Roman Hemby and the running game were a big reason why.

If the Terps, with Josh Gattis as the offensive coordinator, can establish the ground game, it will make life a lot easier for Tagovailoa. If Michigan can force Maryland to be one-dimensional, the Wolverines can do more things to try and confuse Tagovailoa which won’t be easy.

Tagovailoa and Maryland, which has four receivers with more than 400 receiving yards, will be a good test before the Ohio State. But good defense always starts with stopping the run which is another key for the Wolverines, along with limiting the Terps on the ground.