Michigan
vs.
Maryland
College Football
Free Pick
11/11/17
Michigan could be ranked after winning this Game, but that probably won’t last long with Wisconsin and Ohio State on the Schedule next. The Wolverines have won their last two, but still don’t have a win against a winning team this season. Maryland is not a winning team, losing most recently to Rutgers. The Wolverines were heavy -17 point road favorites as of Wednesday at 5Dimes Sportsbook.
Maryland has played better at home this season, but that’s no reason to take the Terps in this Game. They beat Indiana a couple weeks ago and lost 37-21 to Northwestern before that. With one of the worst defenses in the conference, allowing more than 36 points per Game, look for Michigan to run away with this one.
Karan Higdon took over as the lead running back about a month ago and has been dynamic, going for at least 158 yards in three of the last Four Games to go with eight touchdowns in that period. He could have similar success in this one with Chris Evans also joining the fun, who had 191 yards last week. Brandon Peters is the new starting quarterback, but he still has attempted just 28 passes this season and probably won’t have to do much in this one. There’s no reason to believe this Maryland defense will stop Michigan from running the ball the same way it did last week.
Covering this Game will require Maryland to move the ball against a defense allowing 17 points and only 245 yards per Game. When facing good defenses this season, the Terps reached 13 points against Wisconsin and 14 against OSU. The even worse news is that they could be forced to use yet another starting quarterback with Max Bortenschlager a Game-time decision with an injured shoulder. If he can’t go, former Air Force QB Ryan Brand, who is just 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, could get the start.
If that’s the case, this Game could easily go the same way as last year’s massacre, which the Wolverines won 59-3. Maryland has a dynamic ground Game between Ty Johnson and Lorenzo Harrison, but if they put a guy that has little experience in the offense under center against this defensive front, it could get ugly. The Wolverines are allowing just over 100 rushing yards per Game and if they stack the box, that could be even worse for Maryland. Even with Bortenschlager, this offense still has its issues against good teams.
The Wolverines haven’t covered in their last six road Games vs. a team with a losing home record, while the Terrapins are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
Our Pick – Maryland +17