Turning the Page: Michigan vs. Maryland...what are your initial thoughts?
Time to look towards Maryland (at least for me, anyway) they are 5-5 (2-5 in B1G), playing for a bowl, and coming off a 21-40 loss to the Spartans.
Outside of the obligatory "just win," what are your initial thoughts?
For example...
- Do you want to see Michigan keep it "vanilla" and try to win a sleepy Indiana style game?
- Rest Haskins and Corum (assuming Corum could give it a go)?
- Do you try and obliterate them and get the style points?
Maryland is led by QB Tualia Tagovailoa, an inconsistent, somewhat inaccurate thrower who often rides the highs and lows of his emotions. He's capable of big games, he's already over 3,000 yards passing and has 20 TDs (and 10 picks). He can pick up first downs with his legs, but doesn't like to run. His best WR is out for the year (ACL).
Maryland is 49th in total offense and scores 27 ppg (73rd).
On defense they give up 31.4 ppg and rank 102 in the country (and 77th in rush defense, giving up 158 per game and 18 TDs thus far...Michigan gives up 123 per game and 9 TDs). Branden Jennings? The former Michigan commit? He seems to have gone from starter, to backup, to out of the 2-deep...maybe an injury, but not having a huge impact. Oddly enough, Maryland has one more total sack on the season than Michigan does.
Maryland is 91st in total defense, allowing 416 ypg. The problem seems to be in the secondary.
Maryland also ranks low in turnover differential (-7) and time of possession (91st in TOP).
...but again, what are your thoughts? What are you looking for beyond the obvious (a win, injury free, etc.)?
November 14th, 2021 at 10:38 AM ^
Win the game.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:13 AM ^
My thoughts are similar.
1) Win the game.
2) Win The Game.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:13 AM ^
My thoughts are similar.
1) Win the game.
2) Win The Game.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:36 AM ^
And no injuries.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:41 AM ^
Trap game, can’t look past them. I like the vanilla Indiana approach. Suffocate them slowly. Just win baby.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:00 AM ^
They will for sure play vanilla, it's what Michigan does to weaker opponents. Hopefully the OSU game isn't too much on their minds and they go out and execute.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:43 PM ^
Hopefully osu game isn’t decided by the refs. In my experience that’s the worst thing that can happen
November 14th, 2021 at 11:52 AM ^
Harbaugh seems to prefer the slow-cooker approach in this situation. I'd like to see a flash fry if possible. Maryland's pass defense is bad, and Cade seems to be more comfortable on the road. Making ourselves one-dimensional gives them a chance to stay competitive longer.
I don't mind tenderizing an opponent for a half and then plowing through them in the 3rd quarter in some cases, but we really can't afford any injuries or fluky 2nd half targeting penalties. Seen too many pre-OSU Indiana (e.g.) games go that way.
Getting the backups in ASAP is the ideal. But yeah, just win and move on.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:10 PM ^
I agree, playing not to lose against a decent offense like Maryland just keeps them in the game which sucks when you get into the 4th quarter, more opportunities for the opponent to win. I'd rather Michigan go all out in the first half and put the game away collectively.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:49 PM ^
Do what we’ve been doing. Run the ball and keep clock moving. Get out of there with a win and don’t worry about style points. Hopefully everyone stays healthy
November 14th, 2021 at 10:43 AM ^
Their offense is basically a Great Value version of the OSU offense albeit with a more dual threat QB and lesser inside run game. I think this could be a nice warm up for the Michigan defense.
On the other side of the ball, I'd like to see Michigan evenly distribute the ball to a plethora of TEs and WRs in the short passing game to keep Haskins fresh. Spread out the receiving options and let Cade get the ball out quickly while building confidence for the OSU game.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:56 AM ^
My guy said "Great Value version of the OSU offense." ??
That's it, shut down the thread. We can talk about Maryland tomorrow.
...what a description. /tips_cap
November 14th, 2021 at 11:36 AM ^
That's a good point, but they are nothing like Indiana has been lately. For years, Indiana has proven to be a great brainstorming of ideas for Ohio State, even the intensity they provided. It has not been an easy game for us. Maryland, is more like Nebraska; they make way too many mistakes. Ohio State is going to learn nothing new watching the Maryland game, while I think Maryland will be a much easier game to play then it would have been against the Hoosiers of previous years.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:43 AM ^
Play to win.
sadly it has been reported that Corum is out for the balance of the regular season
November 14th, 2021 at 10:54 AM ^
I believe that report was corrected. I do not expect him to play Saturday, but it sounds like he might be able to give it a go against the Buckeyes.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:37 AM ^
If I was Michigan that's what I would say regardless
November 14th, 2021 at 5:00 PM ^
A report in the Freep is incorrect??
There's a reason why that former news organization is not viewed favorably by Michigan fans.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:44 AM ^
Agree that giving Donovan some significant time (if possible) would be good for him and the team so that Hassan can be 100% for THAT team. I like the improved route running we've been seeing and would like to continue to work the intermediate game like Rev. King noted a couple weeks ago. It would surprise me if Maryland has a consistent answer for what the defense will throw at them, so "don't suck" should take care of things on that side.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:47 PM ^
It looked like Edwards was having some footing issues yesterday on the grass surface. Hopefully, that will disappear on Maryland's artificial surface (as well as ours).
November 14th, 2021 at 10:46 AM ^
If Marylands qb is inconsistent he will drop dimes all day against us. That is how this works
November 14th, 2021 at 10:56 AM ^
Everything that an opponent does not do well, when pointed out in Brian’s write up, becomes their strength.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:58 AM ^
Yes. I thought Clifford was supposed to be practically invalid and yet there he was, converting 4th downs like he was collecting rent.
Sweep the leg.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:32 PM ^
And don’t let over pursuit lead to free yards on the ground.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:48 AM ^
My thought are:
Will be there.. Drinking during the game!
Secondary, probably gets probed more than any other game. TE looks like a beast that will need to be contained.
Beat Ohio Chants from 3rd quarter if goes as planned. No idea what happens until brunch on Sunday regardless of what happens from there..
November 14th, 2021 at 10:53 AM ^
I like the idea of a typical Harbaugh grind. 15 plays 8 minute drives that end in a TD. Would enjoy seeing us kick less field goals, so maybe keep it to 1 on the day. Score early and take the lead, give Donovan Edwards extra carries, work on the passing game to different levels and receivers. Couple JJ drives later in the game. Cade accuracy downfield. Clean game for OL. Whatever other typical stuff we want in a dominant game?
November 14th, 2021 at 11:49 AM ^
We all know we are a good team, but I think Saturday we will show some 'real good team', team. I think the guys are really bouyed and spirits are really high and execution will be at a high; I think we are peaking at the right time.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:57 AM ^
Maryland has a few offensive playmakers and a QB who can sling it but also throw some bad bad INTs.
The UMD defense is worse then Indiana's and got obliterated by Minnesota's RBs and running scheme. The secondary is very shaky outside of safety nick cross. A vanilla Michigan attack will churn out yardage and get into red zone.
Jennings did play vs MSU and is talented but raw. He drew a penalty for hitting the QB as QB went into slide. That was in MSU red zone.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:57 AM ^
Keep it simple. Rest key players if possible. Win the game.
November 14th, 2021 at 10:57 AM ^
I don't think you win games vs Maryland in a 'sleepy' fashion. They're not that kind of team. I think Michigan needs a solid offensive performance especially in the passing game. You want a 35-17 type win here.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:16 AM ^
PSU's win over them was pretty sleepy (24-14 until they got a pick 6 at the end).
November 14th, 2021 at 10:59 AM ^
The crowd will not be hostile. A large Michigan fan base will be there. Defense needs to defend against the passing attack.
Would like to see more JJ and Edwards in this game and give Haskins a breather.
Want to see a 20 point margin of victory for Michigan...Go Blue!
November 14th, 2021 at 11:05 AM ^
I think it'll be more than 50% Michigan fans.
Maryland fans blew their wad on the Iowa night game.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:00 AM ^
Would like to see them sharp, focused, executing game plan from the get go and a nice methodical, convincing, win.
Bonuses would be a strong performance from Edwards, continued elevation of their game from the receiving corps with clear signs of a completely healthy Anthony and elevated play from the linebackers.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:01 AM ^
win, work on passing game, rest Corum no matter what
finally, if the score dictates, rest the defensive front 7 in second half
but as stated.... just win without another injury
November 14th, 2021 at 11:03 AM ^
Don't get injured.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:03 AM ^
Clean up mistakes from psu game, keep their heads in an obvious trap game on the road vs a team trying to get to a bowl, assignment sound football in all 3 phases, no turnovers, no injuries, big Michigan win.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:04 AM ^
I am of the belief that this is a must win game that we should win comfortably given the current state of the two programs. I am also hopeful that we suffer no major injuries and all our players heal up for the big game next week.
Unique insights and takes like this are hard to come by so I assume you are deeply appreciative of my contribution here.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:05 AM ^
I feel Maryland’s qb is going to have a very long, not so good, unfun day. Ojabo and Hutchinson is unfair.
On offense like to see the receivers get a few more balls. Gonna need them to make some plays against OSU.
Feel like Sanristil has quietly become pretty reliable. Erick All couldn’t catch a thing last year and he’s been terrific.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:45 AM ^
The way Ojabo and Hutch must look to opposing quarterbacks:
November 14th, 2021 at 11:07 AM ^
First thought, being in Norfolk VA, do I go?
November 15th, 2021 at 12:52 AM ^
Absolutely!! Go Blue
November 14th, 2021 at 11:11 AM ^
Another test for the secondary in this game. I wish Demus wasn't hurt so we could get a real sense of M's top 2 corners. Rakim Jarrett will be a handful for whoever has to line up opposite him. Also they have a pretty good TE in Okonkwo. Both of those guys are coming off 100 yard games against MSU. I thought their RB, Tayon Fleet-Davis, was pretty good in the beginning of the season but he only had 4 carries against MSU. He'll be one to watch out for. He's got some quickness.
Overall I think this game will be more of a test for the defense than the offense. As mentioned before, Maryland's offense is a "Great Value version of OSU". Hold them to 10 points or less (without needing turnovers) and I think we can feel pretty good about next week defensively. Offensively? That's another story.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:12 AM ^
Not sure how you measure this, but keep up the intensity and focus, which could be difficult between PSU and OSU. Any game could be lost if you come out flat.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:14 AM ^
I only watched about 5 minutes of Maryland’s game against Sparty last night and Tagovailoa looked deadly with his legs. But again, it was only about five minutes of viewing time, not the whole thing.
The play crappy against everyone else and save your best for Michigan fear is always in the back of my head in games like this. So I’m not sure how vanilla we should be.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:21 AM ^
How about mostly vanilla with a dash of pumpkin spice?
November 14th, 2021 at 11:53 AM ^
Now I’m hungry. But yes.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:17 AM ^
Gimme a heavy dose of Haskins followed up with 250 yards and 2 TD from Cade. Defense needs to show up big for the style points. There ain’t no rest for the wicked.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:21 AM ^
Would prefer not to use up HH. Rather give Edwards some playing time and have him ready for OSU in case Corum can't go.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:55 PM ^
Same, ideally Haskins doesn't even get 15 carries, leaves healthy and Edwards goes over 100 for the first time in his career.