Terps looking to sharpen their strengths and fix their flaws and getting healthy during their Bye week.
After spanking the previously unbeaten Minnesota Gophers last Saturday, Maryland heads into their bye week with a 3-1 overall record and a 1-0 Big Ten record.
Four games into their season, Maryland Football has given Terps nation plenty to be excited about so far.
Maryland head into an off week with one of the better and more exciting Maryland offenses in recent years and a much-improved defense.
The Terps with carry their explosive running game into the bye and look to work on their passing attack.
The Terps are ranked in the top half of the conference in many key offensive categories however one area that has been a concern if I may say has been the lack of a serious passing attack that can make opponents pay for bringing an extra man into the box to stop that powerful Maryland running game.
Interim head coach Matt Canada said during his post-game presser that he’s looking forward to getting more extra bodies back and get guys with nagging injuries to be up to speed.
Maryland would look to get their entire offensive line back in order after missing at least 2 key starters in their last two games, losing one in upset fashion to a winless Temple Owls team at the time.
Last week Derwin Grey came back after missing the Owls game however the offensive line was still without senior right tackle Damien Prince and red shirt starting center Johnny Jordan.
Maryland also is a bit banged up on defense with junior starting nose tackle Adam McClain missing the Gophers game.
Both starting safeties also went down with injuries over the weekend so the Terps are just trying to get everyone healed up by the time they have to travel down to Michigan in two weeks.
Maryland has been playing inspired football all season so for the most part they’ll try and build off that great start heading into their bye and coming off of it.
Michigan is now ranked 14th in the Country after walloping the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Big House over the weekend.
The Jim Harbaugh (younger brother of Ravens HC John) led Wolverines play this weekend at Northwestern Wildcats.
My guess is Maryland would probably be paying close attention to that game as it’ll be a great opportunity for the staff and players alike to study their next opponent up close.
The Wolverines are a power running team on offense with play action mixed it. Key to beating them is first and foremost stopping their running game and forcing their new quarterback Shea Patterson to throw from the pockets.
That Michigan offense is pretty pedestrian once you can stop them from running the ball as they solely depend on the play action for big plays.
UM defense may be their greatest asset. Michigan defense is led by former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, a mad science very creative defensive mind.
Mattison is a master at disguising pressures so it’ll be the uttermost importance for the Terps to have their full set of starting offensive line when facing them.
That unit for them is NO JOKE. One fail recognition of a blitz or pressure package by the Wolverines could doom the Terps.
Michigan has speed everywhere on the field but especially on defense.
Wolverines may have the fastest set of linebackers in the Country led by Senior star Devin Bush Jr, a missile that’ll knock your socks off.
Basically Maryland wouldn’t have the speed and athletic edge for the first time maybe since Texas or even all season.
After what many in the Terps coaching staff called Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines running up the score on Maryland last season at Maryland Stadium.
The Terps would have plenty of motivation besides the obvious of being 2-0 in the Big Ten to come out pumped and fired up to return the favor.
Michigan choose to leave all of their starters in late in the 4th quarter of last year’s meeting, when the game was already decided at half time.
The Terps leaders haven’t forgotten, and would love nothing but to go to the Big House and shock the World.
Maryland has a very silent confidence about them but knows facing a very talented Michigan team at their place is a tall task.
One that this Maryland team feels is more than ready for in more ways and in previous seasons.
Again, there is also that extra motivation of still not being ranked yet Texas with identical 3-1 record as the Terps yet coming in at #18 in the Country in the latest AP polls.
While the Terps are stuck in others receiving votes category, a total insult.
A Texas team Maryland dominated two seasons in a row, including their season opener at Fed Ex Field. Maryland leaders feel they still got too much to prove.
Terps feel that chip they played with against Texas to open the season is back after losing some of its mojo in a home defeat against Temple.
Maryland wants to prove that Temple performance was simply a let down and they are determined to not let it happen again this season.
Beating Michigan at their place would surely go a long way into shutting all the haters and doubters up and maybe then voters would give them the respect they believe they deserved.
Kickoff is set for 12 Noon and the game would be nationally broadcast on ABC (check your local channel listings).
Stay with Marylandsportsblog as I’ll have more on the Wolverines and everything they have to offer when the Terps go visit in two weeks. I’ll have previews also up next week on game week. #GOTERPS
