Michigan football fans have been waiting for the Wolverines to put it all together, and one week before taking on Ohio State, U-M finally did it.
Michigan allowed an opening drive touchdown to Maryland, but after that, it was all Wolverines. Michigan hassled quarterback Malik Washington all night long, forcing him into an interception, and forcing some key red-zone stops that prevented this game from getting too close like the past three games in what ended up as a 45-20 win.
Bryce Underwood wasn't perfect. There were some teaching moments, such as a first-quarter pass that was nearly intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
Yet, the true freshman threw a dart for a touchdown on third-and-eight on the same drive, and rarely missed after that. His decisons were on point. He was accurate, and going into "The Game", Underwood should be as confident as he has been all season.
Bryce didn't play in the last 12 minutes of the game. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 215 yards. He also ran for 12 yards and had two touchdown passes in the first half.
Underwood has averaged 268.5 total yards per game the past two weeks. He started 18 of 24 last week, so this is two weeks in a row Bryce has come out hot.
This time around, he didn't have the mistakes, although there was an ill-advised throw. Regardless, it was a stellar performance as the Wolverines won their fourth in a row.
Bryson Kuzdal was stellar, getting 20 carries for 100 yards and three touchdowns. The former walk-on became the third Michigan running back to score three touchdowns this season. Special teams were even OK, except Dominic Zvada missed another chip-shot field goal, although he hit a 45-yarder with 7:20 remaining to extend the lead to 45-13 (smart by Sherrone to let him try it).
Michigan football didn't need the points. Zvada needed to see one go in, like a shooter that's slumping, sometimes a layup or free throw gets you right again.
Defensively, Michigan dominated. Maryland only allowed four sacks all season. The Wolverines had four on Saturday, including some that forced field goals and a turnover on downs.
That was the difference in the game. That, and the fact that Michigan rushed for 223 yards, while Maryland had 62 and only got over 300 yards and 20 points after a scoring drive in garbage time. Michigan didn't punt.
After some struggles, sort of like the 2021 team, which won some close games in November before upsetting Ohio State, that team built confidence with a lopsided win over Maryland.
The suddenly 9-2 Michigan football team, still alive for the Big Ten championship with a true freshman quarterback, just got a similar jolt in the arm.
And not a moment too soon.