With an 8-2 overall record and just one loss to a Big Ten opponent (the USC Trojans), the Michigan Wolverines have all but cemented themselves within the top 25 this year.
Even with a loss to the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (because everyone loses to them), the Wolverines would likely finish the regular season ranked. However, this week's game could ruin that possibility.
No, the Maryland Terrapins haven't posed a big threat to most teams this season. So far, they've gone 4-6 overall and are 1-6 in conference play, only defeating the Wisconsin Badgers. Yet, doesn't that sound like the perfect opponent to ruin Michigan's season?
Could Maryland upset No. 18 Michigan?
The Wolverines are the favorites in the matchup, favored by 13.5 points over the Terps according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
However, the game is at Maryland, giving the Terrapins the home advantage, and it is always games like this that pose the biggest threats to teams that are on a winning streak, just like Michigan is.
Through and through, this is a trap game. Simply put, the Wolverines and head coach Sherrone Moore cannot overlook their game against the Terps to look a week into the future and set their focus on the Buckeyes.
Yes, the game against Ohio State is the bigger of the two matchups, but a loss in The Game does a lot less to affect Michigan's season than a loss against Maryland would.
Moore and his staff, and the entire team, need to not push Maryland to the back of their minds; they need to take the end of the season one week (or maybe even one day) at a time.
No. 18 Michigan (8-2 overall, 6-1 Big Ten) and unranked Maryland (4-6 overall, 1-6 Big Ten) are scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 22, and the game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.