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Michigan 59, Maryland 18 -- Enjoying the Last Win of the Season Postgame Thread
M opened earlier this week as a 15 point favorite. It's down to around 2 TDs. Based on Maryland's last 6 games, where they have gone 1-5, that's probably about right. All the factors that revolve around how Harbaugh and his teams play road games are still present. There's been a bit more aggression but M plays to burn clock and keep distance between M and it's opponent; more so on the road than at home. Historically, I've called it a shackle on the offense and it has been to blame for terrible road losses during JH's 6 previous seasons. But it's working this season for a number of reasons not the least of which is that Harbaugh's game strategy which is old school and plays to the D and special teams has a D and special teams that are actually good. So, M goes into an away game v. Maryland with the baggage I just described that appears to be off-set by decent QB play, a good running game and quality defense and STs. Well, that's why M is 9-1
Having read some Maryland previews, this game has the potential to incorporate some ass-hole puckering plays by Maryland. That's because Maryland features Taulia Tagovailoaat QB. I've read he's not quite as good at Martinez but close and that's the comparison to go on in assessing his impact on the game. Martinez gave M some trouble and you can expect Tagovailoa to do the same. He's a legit run threat but he's in a Locksley offense that features 40-50 passing plays per game and while the receiver room has suffered injuries to starters there's no shortage of talent and Tagovailoa has a knack for throwing bullets on the run - whihc he usually is and will be facing Hutchinson and Ojabo.
The thing about Tagovailoa is that, unlike Martinez who hasn't made a lot of mistakes this season, he can be pressured into them and then he tries to play hero ball. He fails there. So, M's D to be effective against Maryland's offense, pressure him and at the same time, keep contain. McDonald know this. That Maryland's OL isn't great I'd expect to see a lot of 3 and 4 man rushes that will hit home and less 5s because they won't be needed to flush the guy and instead LBs will be available to keep his gains to a minimum or better yet, stuff him, but we'll see.
I've not read much about Maryland's D but what I have read is that they are bad. At #117 in total yards given up to opponents, they're giving up nearly 300 yards of passing. A bit better in rush defense, they stand at #78 giving up 164 ypg to opponents. Good news for M that has problems converting short yardage to first downs, Maryland ranks #117 giving up 45% of 3rd down tries! That's fuck-ton.
I don't think Harbaugh is going to let Gattis go nutz having McNamara throwing the ball 30 or more times even though Maryland's strength on D is against the run. That would be fun. Gattis is going to man-ball it with Haskins. It will be frustrating as Maryland will do what every other opponent has done, bring a S or 2 up to get numbers. Won't matter, we won't see audibles, we'll see the usual bang head into wall sort of play-calling we should be used to by know. I'd really like to see M use the passing game inside the RZ - that could be a feature. But it's going to be predominantly man-ball. This will shorten the game as well as beat down Maryland's front 7 but M's offense will look unbalanced and not score a lot of points - like in the low 30s. It could score a bunch and that would be nice but it's not going to happen.
M 34, Maryland 17.
Having read some Maryland previews, this game has the potential to incorporate some ass-hole puckering plays by Maryland. That's because Maryland features Taulia Tagovailoaat QB. I've read he's not quite as good at Martinez but close and that's the comparison to go on in assessing his impact on the game. Martinez gave M some trouble and you can expect Tagovailoa to do the same. He's a legit run threat but he's in a Locksley offense that features 40-50 passing plays per game and while the receiver room has suffered injuries to starters there's no shortage of talent and Tagovailoa has a knack for throwing bullets on the run - whihc he usually is and will be facing Hutchinson and Ojabo.
The thing about Tagovailoa is that, unlike Martinez who hasn't made a lot of mistakes this season, he can be pressured into them and then he tries to play hero ball. He fails there. So, M's D to be effective against Maryland's offense, pressure him and at the same time, keep contain. McDonald know this. That Maryland's OL isn't great I'd expect to see a lot of 3 and 4 man rushes that will hit home and less 5s because they won't be needed to flush the guy and instead LBs will be available to keep his gains to a minimum or better yet, stuff him, but we'll see.
I've not read much about Maryland's D but what I have read is that they are bad. At #117 in total yards given up to opponents, they're giving up nearly 300 yards of passing. A bit better in rush defense, they stand at #78 giving up 164 ypg to opponents. Good news for M that has problems converting short yardage to first downs, Maryland ranks #117 giving up 45% of 3rd down tries! That's fuck-ton.
I don't think Harbaugh is going to let Gattis go nutz having McNamara throwing the ball 30 or more times even though Maryland's strength on D is against the run. That would be fun. Gattis is going to man-ball it with Haskins. It will be frustrating as Maryland will do what every other opponent has done, bring a S or 2 up to get numbers. Won't matter, we won't see audibles, we'll see the usual bang head into wall sort of play-calling we should be used to by know. I'd really like to see M use the passing game inside the RZ - that could be a feature. But it's going to be predominantly man-ball. This will shorten the game as well as beat down Maryland's front 7 but M's offense will look unbalanced and not score a lot of points - like in the low 30s. It could score a bunch and that would be nice but it's not going to happen.
M 34, Maryland 17.
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