Maryland Terrapins vs. Michigan Wolverines Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 24th 2022
Gino Russo
A trio of victories over badly overmatched nonconference teams was not a complete indicator of how elite No. 4 Michigan truly is this season.
The start of the Big Ten season, which begins Saturday with a home matchup against Maryland, will begin to round out the complete picture.
The Wolverines have outscored their opponents 166-17, including a 59-0 victory over UConn last weekend. Blake Corum tied the school record with five rushing touchdowns and the defense had no trouble shutting down a true freshman quarterback.
"I just think guys are excited to attack the next challenge," coach Jim Harbaugh said. "They're ready for it, they know it's going to be a step up in competition - start of Big Ten play."
Corum has solidified his status as the lead back. He gained 952 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on the ground last year and has cranked it up a couple of notches in the early going. Corum has 235 yards (6.9 per carry) in three games with seven TDs.
"No better example of selflessness in the program than Blake Corum. He is a tremendous worker and tremendous leader," Harbaugh said. "He's always been good. His approach has always been A-plus-plus. And his play speaks for itself."
J.J. McCarthy, who was named the No. 1 quarterback after the second game, completed 15 of 18 passes for 214 yards against the Huskies. Backup and former starter Cade McNamara injured his leg during the game and will be out an indefinite amount of time.
Michigan now can turn its attention to a conference team that has also taken advantage of a ho-hum nonconference slate. The Terrapins also are 3-0, though it required a go-ahead touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to put away SMU on Saturday 34-27.
Harbaugh praised the Terrapins' offense.
"Really good playmakers. Their quarterback is playing outstanding," Harbaugh said. "They're doing a really good job protecting him. They're making a lot of plays. He's making a lot of plays - in the pocket, out of the pocket."
Terrapins OB Taulia Tagovailoa has completed 77.3 percent of his passes this season after a 69.2 percent success rate a year ago. He has thrown for six touchdowns and rushed for one more in the early going.
Maryland coach Mike Locksley said his team should feel pressure-free entering the conference opener.
"We have nothing to lose," Locksley said. "We're going to face the reigning champ. We know we'll get a really good team. ... Keep the game really tight, get into the fourth quarter and you never know what can happen."
Locksley knows what will happen if the Terrapins don't play a lot cleaner than they did against SMU. They were penalized 15 times for 141 yards, yet still found a way to win. They won't be so fortunate against a ranked opponent.
"I actually showed them a video of every penalty," he said. "I showed the commentary of everything (the media) said. ... They're still kids. I'm a parent. I've got to get them to understand that the name on the front of the jersey represents us and we've got to continue to work to do better."
Michigan leads the all-time series 9-1 and has won the last six meetings. The Wolverines have a 6-1 advantage since the Terrapins moved into the Big Ten.
Tagovailoa was held to 178 passing yards and one touchdown last season when the Wolverines romped to a 59-18 victory at Maryland.
--Field Level Media
Maryland Terrapins vs. Michigan Wolverines Recap SEP 24TH 2022
Blake Corum carried 30 times for 243 yards and two touchdowns as No. 4 Michigan withstood a challenge from Maryland, winning 34-27 Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich., in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
J.J. McCarthy completed 18 of 26 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns as the Wolverines (4-0, 1-0) subdued the Terps (3-1, 0-1), who are 0-27 against ranked conference foes since joining the Big Ten in 2014.
With Maryland up 13-10 late in the second quarter, Corum put Michigan ahead for good with a 33-yard scoring run. Then, with 3:31 to play in the game, Corum secured the victory with a 47-yard touchdown sprint.
Corum's clincher came after R.J. Moten had an interception to help extinguish the Terps' hopes. D.J. Turner also picked off a pass, and linebacker Junior Colson added 13 tackles for Michigan.
Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa completed 20 of 30 passes for 207 yards but struggled after sustaining a blind-side hit from Michael Morris in the third quarter.
Tagovailoa was replaced in the fourth quarter by Billy Edwards Jr., who directed a late touchdown drive, which he capped with an 18-yard touchdown pass to CJ Dippre with 45 seconds to go.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Wolverines extended their lead to 24-13 with an 85-yard scoring drive which McCarthy finished with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Roman Wilson.
Maryland was down 7-0 just eight seconds into the game as the opening kickoff caromed off the helmet of Tai Felton, and Matthew Hibner recovered at the Terps' 10. On the next play, McCarthy rolled right and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Luke Schoonmaker.
But Maryland fought back as Chad Ryland booted field goals of 53 and 52 yards sandwiched around a 2-yard touchdown run by Antwain Littleton II.
The kicks extended Ryland's string of field goals to 23 as the Terps took their 13-10 lead.
- Field Level Media