EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, October 6^th, the (3-1) Maryland Terrapins will be on the road to take on the (4-1) Michigan Wolverines.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Michigan 35.5 – Maryland 19.0 with an over/under of 54.5.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Michigan 35 – Maryland 24.

Mark is predicting a final score of Michigan 27 – Maryland 21.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: Michigan 206.2 YPG > Maryland 141.3 YPG

Rushing offense: Maryland 258.5 YPG > Michigan 205.6 YPG

Scoring offense: Michigan 37.4 PPG > Maryland 33.8 PPG

Scoring defense: Michigan 14.8 PPG > Maryland 22.8 PPG

Passing defense: Michigan 146.2 YPG > Maryland 209.8 PPG

Rushing defense: Michigan 86.4 YPG > Maryland 104.0 PPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Maryland +1.2 > Michigan +0.2

Summary:

Maryland is (3-1) to start the season with wins over #23 Texas, Bowling Green, and Minnesota.  They were upset by Temple in week three.  The Terrapins rank 50^th in points per game (33.8) and 50^th scoring defense (22.8 PPG).  Quarterback Kasim Hill has not played well completing 55% of his passes for 516 yards with 3 touchdowns to 1 interception.  Ty Johnson and Anthony McFarland have been a nice backfield duo combining for 591 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Maryland, as a team, is averaging an impressive 6.1 yards per carry.  The Terrapins have the 11^th best turnover margin (+1.2) in college football.  Defensively, Maryland ranks 17^th in stopping the run (104.0 YPG).

Michigan is (4-1) with victories over Western Michigan, Northwestern, Nebraska, and SMU.  They were defeated by #12 Notre Dame 24-17 in week one.  The Wolverines rank 34^th in points per game (37.4) and 11^th in scoring defense (14.8 PPG).  Quarterback Shea Patterson has completed 68% of his passes for 905 yards with 7 touchdowns to 2 interceptions.  Karan Higdon is the team’s leading rusher with 479 yards (6.3 YPC) and 5 touchdowns.  Donovan Peoples-Jones has been dangerous as a return specialist but the Wolverines have to get him more involved on offense.  Defensively, Michigan has been phenomenal ranking 7^th at stopping the run (86.4 YPG) and 4^th at defending the pass (146.2 YPG).

Bottom Line:

Maryland has a strong rushing attack but a one-dimensional offense is not going to be able to move the ball against a Michigan defense that is arguably the best in the country.  Shea Patterson will have to make plays in the passing game when Maryland packs the box to stuff the run.  The Wolverines have been especially dominant at home where they average over 50 points per game.

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