The Michigan Wolverines defeated Maryland 31–24 on Saturday to extend their winning streak to 11-0 and make history as the first major college football programme to win 1,000 games. It wasn’t an easy victory.
It was the Wolverines’ second consecutive victory without head coach Jim Harbaugh, who is still serving out his suspension related to the sign-stealing incident. After winning the first three games of the season while he was serving a different suspension, it was their fifth victory of the year without him.
Michigan had a big early lead and then saw Maryland mount a ferocious comeback in the second half, cutting the lead to 29-24 in the fourth quarter. It was an odd game for Michigan in the end.
However, Michigan’s second safety of the day helped seal the victory late in the fourth quarter after an intentional grounding call on Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa in the end zone.
It completed a day in which the Wolverines scored goals on special teams (blocked punt safety), defence (fumble return and safety), and offence (fumble return). Michigan established itself early in the first quarter with three touchdowns (an offensive touchdown, a defensive touchdown, and a blocked punt).
The Wolverines’ biggest regular-season matchup, against archrival Ohio State, could determine their place in the College Football Playoffs, so they must prepare for it now.
In that matchup, Michigan will need to perform far better than it did this week. Running back J.J. McCarthy had trouble finding any kind of rhythm, and the offence was not nearly as strong as it has been at other points this year. That kind of effort could be effective against a Maryland team that has six wins. It is not going to work with Ohio State.
