Three key matchups in Michigan’s Week 4 game vs. Maryland

The Michigan Wolverines cruised to victories of their first three video games towards inferior non-conference opponents. Week 4 will present a chance for Michigan to get examined in quite a lot of methods when the Wolverines welcome the Maryland Terrapins (3-0) into the Large Home this Saturday for every group’s Large Ten opener (midday EST, FOX).

Listed below are three matchups to observe going into the competition.

Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland passing assault vs. U-M’s secondary

In all three of its wins, Maryland’s passing assault has made explosive performs within the passing recreation. The numbers present that, because the Terrapins have the Twentieth-best passing offense within the nation at 310 yards per recreation.

The playmaking potential begins with quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who could make performs with each his legs and arms, as Michigan followers caught a glimpse of final season even in a Wolverines blowout victory. He has thrown for 895 yards and 6 touchdowns whereas additionally throwing two interceptions.

By way of the air, Maryland has no scarcity of gamers who can stretch the sphere and run for giant yardage after the catch. Rakim Jarret and Dontay Demus Jr. are two extremely regarded prospects who’re projected to be chosen throughout the first few rounds of the NFL Draft in 2023. Whereas Jarret has lived as much as the billing, hauling in 11 receptions for 196 yards (each lead the group) and a landing, Demus Jr. has but to get issues absolutely going with simply six grabs for 57 yards.

Nevertheless, senior Jeshaun Jones has emerged as a harmful menace with 11 catches and 145 yards and two touchdowns, whereas junior Jacob Copeland has additionally discovered the tip zone twice on 129 yards receiving and 6 catches. Including all of these components collectively, together with an above common operating recreation, makes for a harmful Maryland offense that Michigan’s protection must be prepared for.

Cornerbacks Gemon Inexperienced and DJ Turner have to be as much as the problem, and will probably be attention-grabbing to see who they line up towards when Maryland tries to unfold the sphere. This may be a recreation the place Mike Sainristil, who has been wonderful thus far this season, will get numerous snaps in nickel packages because the Wolverines try to search out good matchups towards what is usually a harmful Maryland offense.

The excellent news for the Wolverines is that they have been top-of-the-line groups towards the cross this season, permitting simply 91.3 yards per recreation, however Maryland will present a stiff problem in that regard in comparison with their earlier three opponents.

Maryland OL towards Michigan’s DL

Though the Terrapins possess loads of expertise on the talent positions, their greatest offensive NFL prospect could also be on the offensive line with left deal with Jaelyn Duncan, who’s projected to go within the first couple of rounds of subsequent 12 months’s draft as properly. Since 2019, Duncan has began practically each recreation for Maryland and possesses uncommon athletic potential for somebody of his measurement (6-foot-6, 320 kilos).

With out an elite cross rusher this season with Hutchinson and Ojabo gone to the NFL, one of many issues coming into the season for a lot of was how the Wolverines would get constant stress on opposing quarterbacks. Up to now, Michigan has used a group effort to report eight sacks in three video games (tied for twenty seventh within the nation). On the flip facet, Maryland has allowed 4 sacks (tied for forty first within the nation), however two of these allowed got here towards SMU final week, a seven-point win for the Terrapins and their hardest opponent up to now.

Michigan will nonetheless be the most effective entrance Maryland has performed this season and the identical can most likely be stated about Maryland’s offensive line. How typically Michigan can generate stress on Tagovailoa, Duncan and the offensive line will decide how uncomfortable they make Maryland’s offense. If Michigan can get to the backfield speeding 4, it’ll make issues a lot simpler on the secondary.

Blake Corum and the Michigan run recreation vs. Maryland run protection

With Donovan Edwards questionable heading into this recreation, will probably be very important for Blake Corum to get going early and sometimes towards the Terrapins. If Edwards is obtainable, he’ll solely assist Michigan’s offense be extra dynamic, however both means, Michigan has boasted top-of-the-line speeding offenses within the nation this season at 231.3 yards per recreation as a group.

If Edwards can’t go, true freshman CJ Stokes has a spot at third on the depth chart and has performed properly for Michigan thus far this season.

The operating recreation will at all times be a significant key to any matchup for Michigan this season — because the operating recreation is the staple of any Jim Harbaugh coached offense — regardless of having a gifted receiving core and a dynamic J.J. McCarthy as quarterback.

An excellent floor assault will solely open up extra alternatives via the air. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see whether or not the Wolverines can set up the bottom recreation, because the Terrapins haven’t been horrible towards the run, giving up 118.3 yards per recreation (tied for forty eighth within the nation). The truth is, any effectivity on the bottom in anyway ought to open up the passing assault towards a Maryland secondary who has been shaky in cross protection, permitting 237.7 yards per recreation via the air.

However as we’ve seen thus far this season from Michigan’s opponents, groups are respecting Michigan’s downfield weapons and taking part in a good quantity of deep security seems, that means there are much less defenders within the field and extra alternatives for the Wolverines to run the ball and benefit from the brief passing recreation to achieve environment friendly yardage.

If Michigan can have success on the bottom early, it’ll power Maryland to take some possibilities in stopping the run and open up some downfield passing alternatives in idea.