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 11:17 AM ^
A dominating, mistake free, injury free, Wolverine victory. This after we watch ohio eat sparty's lunch.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:22 AM ^
Trap game before OSU. Don’t blow it.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:25 AM ^
What are you talking about? Your team plays OSU next game.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:23 AM ^
Mobile quarterbacks scare me.
November 14th, 2021 at 7:35 PM ^
I hear you, but he has negative rushing yards on the year.
Even Cade McNamara has 4 total rushing yards this season.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:23 AM ^
Would be cool to see Edwards get extended time. Perhaps he could take on Corum’s snaps. The PSU game was too big of a stage to take carries away from Haskins but hopefully we can see it against Maryland.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:25 AM ^
Style points aren't necessary. We can get those by beating OSU. Rest Haskins for the second half and Corum for the game. Use Edwards. Try to get out ahead by halftime so JJ can play the second half. Try to keep the starters in good shape for OSU.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:27 AM ^
You've got to get the win . . . but style points? Why? There's zero practical difference between beating this team by 10, 20 or 30.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:33 AM ^
With M, osu, msu, psu all playing important roles in the next two weeks style points are pretty irrelevant, everything is going to be taken care of with wins and losses.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:57 PM ^
I get what you’re saying, but might style points marginally increase chances of a Rose Bowl appearance considering MSU just beat down Maryland (in a hypothetical scenario where, however unlikely, The Game doesn’t go our way, and MSU loses to OSU as well) ?
Or do we stay one position ahead of MSU in the polls even if a win against Maryland is close?
My understanding is the Rose Bowl picks whomever anyway, but still, would be an easier decision if we remain ahead of MSU I assume.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:31 AM ^
Just win, stay heathy. And figure out how to deal with pace.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:41 AM ^
Absolutely have to contain Tagovailoa. The rest is elementary.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:49 AM ^
This is an ideal game to run the ball like 50 zillion times. The Maryland defense probably can't stop it knowing it's coming and that keeps their offense off the field. For this game, vanilla is entirely acceptable. Word to your mother.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:37 PM ^
I doubt it. They aren't going to over work Haskins the week before OSU. And unless/until we get a stranglehold on the game, they aren't putting that responsibility on Edwards yet. I'd expect a balanced game plan this week, by necessity.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:54 AM ^
Their pass defense is horrible. I say fling the ball all over the field because we're going to have to against OSU.
And I'd like to see Haskins limited to 15-20 carries as a "break" before OSU. Edwards for 10-15 carries.
Another reason to get up 28ish as quickly as possible is to be able to rest key players for the second half. If you make it a grind, then the starting defense has to play the whole game. Give them the rest. Can't have injuries.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:33 PM ^
I say fling the ball all over the field because we're going to have to against OSU
But that's just it . . . do you want to expose Cade to more hits and then go into OSU week with an injured QB for the 28th year in a row?
November 14th, 2021 at 11:55 AM ^
Initial thought: we need to win.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:56 AM ^
10-1.
Don't get hurt.
November 14th, 2021 at 11:58 AM ^
1) Stay healthy
2) Scheme for MD without revealing too much that could surprise OSU
3) Stay healthy
4) Win the game
5) Did I mention stay healthy?
November 14th, 2021 at 11:58 AM ^
I could care less. Get ready for Ohio state and Just win the game. Nothing fancy. It all comes down to November 27 you have a chance to prove the haters wrong again. Those haters include me. Don’t fuck up and beat the buckeyes in the big house!
November 14th, 2021 at 12:01 PM ^
Blake Corum will be out for this game. Not sure about OSU. Tualia looks like a good runner. Win the game. Conference road wins are like gold.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:12 PM ^
1. Take MD seriously, play Haskins and Corum and make its a win, don't let MD hang around like MSU did.
2. MSU beat up Tagovailoa pretty bad, I wasn't sure he was going to be able to to finish the game. It reminded me of how they worked over Devin Gardner, it wasn't quite that bad but bad. Tagovailoa is game and makes plays so I don't think it will be easy.
Final thought, MSU barely beat MD, forget about the score it was much closer than that so Harbaugh better have them focused on MD not on the following week.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:19 PM ^
This one may devolve into a pass rush exhibition very quickly.
Maryland must pass and are 64th in sacks allowed.
Hope UofM's offense hits some big plays early [Maryland #122 in plays over 30+yds against(30)]
help make it an easier second half and rest some players for the big game.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:19 PM ^
My initial thoughts are, I hope we don't go plain vanilla and we're up big in the 3rd quarter so we can all chant BEAT OHIO from the stands!!!
If people can't get excited for the last two weeks, I don't really know why you watch football.
Let's go!!!!!!
November 14th, 2021 at 12:20 PM ^
Rest as many as our guys as possible for as long as possible while still winning the game comfortably. Some of our guys looked beat up against Penn State, OL in particular.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:26 PM ^
The idea of being vanilla and hiding things is asinine….it’s ten games into the season, nothing is being held back. You are what you are. What have we been hiding…Cade has Vince Young running ability but we are hiding it for OSU?
If it takes 50 carries from HH then do it. Win the game, no matter the cost.
You better believe Maryland is coming to win.
Funny how some think we are so good we can just name the score….That isn’t how this works.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:33 PM ^
If you honestly think we haven't held back some plays for OSU, then you haven't paid attention at all since Harbaugh became HC.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:40 PM ^
I’m glad you brought that up bc I knew someone would bring it up and not understand the point.
You scheme new plays that are opponent specific….if you break a tendency against Maryland it won’t be any use to OSU because you aren’t attacking the same scheme or player. If it’s a new formation/play it again will be specific to Maryland.
The greater point that was missed is that Michigan is what it is ten games into the season. You aren’t hiding anything.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:32 PM ^
My thoughts;
Rest a few key guys, if possible.
Assuming we get ahead early, use the game to work on things that aren't working so well. That will cause half the board to HERP DERP about running shit that doesn't work, but still some kinks to work out in the running game.
Don't show anything we haven't used already, unless it's decoy stuff.
Win the game.
Win The Game.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:33 PM ^
Win big and do NOT play vanilla. the more you put on tape the more OSU has to be ready for. Vanilla never, ever works.need proof? The last 20 years is proof.
Oh and stay healthy
November 14th, 2021 at 12:34 PM ^
You put the game away in the first half. The problem with vanilla offense is you don't want to be unleashing things in games you've have done live in a game. Then you put your players in situations they are unfamiliar with. Everything in the playbook should be available and this game should be treated like you are playing OSU where points will be needed to win. We need to try to score 50. Winning 21-7 is not sufficient because that means we had to play starters the whole game
November 14th, 2021 at 12:39 PM ^
Take them seriously. They are not a terrible team.
Harbaugh gets a lot of justified criticism for floundering in big games. One thing he’s done well is taking care of lesser opponents. I expect Michigan to be prepared.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:40 PM ^
Potatoes in burritos are such a good thing.
November 14th, 2021 at 12:45 PM ^
This team has come too far to start screwing around at the end of the season by resting starters. There are no “gimmes”.
November 14th, 2021 at 1:18 PM ^
Beat dem damn turtles ???
November 14th, 2021 at 1:50 PM ^
Keep the players focused on beating Maryland. Keep the gas peddle to the floor and don't let up until the game gets out of hand.
If this game was meaningless, sure rest some guys, but every game is still a must win.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:35 PM ^
Gas pedal. Peddle goods. Flower petal.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:04 PM ^
Michigan needs to have a 21 point lead by halftime. I would like to see JJ play the 2nd half. He has not looked too good after the MSU game and needs more reps incase OSU knocks Cade of the last game. We will need JJ ready to go with full confidence.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:06 PM ^
It would be a good game for Cade to work on his long ball accuracy. We will need the long ball against OSU to have any kind of a chance.
November 14th, 2021 at 2:33 PM ^
Make it stop...
November 14th, 2021 at 2:38 PM ^
Vanilla, but not TOO vanilla.
November 14th, 2021 at 4:23 PM ^
Maryland could be a trap game if we let it. They have a Nebraska-ish offense that can give us problems if we are not focused.
Take care of business and don't let them get up early.
November 15th, 2021 at 12:08 AM ^
I pray they don't try to grind out a win. Play fast and aggressive from the start and don't be vanilla. Maryland isn't good but their offense can be, so shortening the game only gives them advantage. I rather the game be completely over by halftime and have the back ups in.
The Maryland QB seems good if not mistake prone and he puts up some big numbers so I rather not play around with a tight game.
November 15th, 2021 at 3:28 AM ^
I'd like to see a lot of JJ, Donovan Edwards, Taylor Upshaw, Mike Morris, Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor in the second half. Like the entire second half.
I agree with others that we should test out the lightning strike portion of the throw game on offense, partly for the reps and partly in case they can blow the game open early.
On defense, hunt interceptions which should be available.