Media Roundup: What The National Media Is Saying About Michigan Football After Beating Maryland

With Ohio State lurking, here's what the national media had to say about the Wolverines' win over Maryland.
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Michigan vanquished Maryland on Saturday, but it was a struggle. The Wolverines are now 11-0 after a 31-24 win over the Terrapins in College Park. 

The Wolverines took a 23-3 lead over Maryland, but the rest of the game belonged to the Terps. It took two safeties, a scoop-n-score by Derrick Moore, and two crucial interceptions from Mike Sainristil for Michigan to capture its 1,000th victory. 

Now with Ohio State on the docket, national media members gave their thoughts on Michigan's win over the Terps and what's at stake for the Wolverines with The Game quickly approaching. 

CBS Sports Barrett Sallee gave Michigan a C+ against Maryland.

It looked like Michigan was about to turn this game sideways, but Maryland hung around and had a legitimate chance to win midway through the fourth quarter of the 31-24 Wolverines victory. Running back Blake Corum pounded the Terrapins defense to the tune of 28 carries for 94 yards and two touchdowns, which was necessary considering quarterback J.J. McCarthy was a bit off all day.

Ross Dellinger with Yahoo Sports ranks Michigan No. 4 in his rankings. Gives a subtle shot at J.J. McCarthy.

4. Michigan Wolverines

This week: won 31-24 at Maryland

Next week: vs. Ohio State

Best win: at Penn State

In one of their sloppiest offensive performances of the season, the Wolverines can thank their defensive front for moving to 11-0 (two safeties, a blocked punt and scoop-and-score). But did Maryland expose a vulnerability? A week ahead of The Game, Michigan got its first fourth-quarter test of the season. Judging by QB J.J. McCarthy’s performance in College Park, it won’t be the last!

ESPN's Heather Dinich projects Michigan as the No. 3 team. She says if Michigan doesn't beat Ohio State, the Wolverines will most likely not make the CFP due to their weak SOS. 

The winner of The Game will capture the Big Ten's East Division and will face Iowa in the conference championship game. It would be extremely difficult for the committee to justify a top-four finish for Michigan without the Big Ten title because of the Wolverines' otherwise weak strength of schedule. Michigan opened the season with four straight home games, and it didn't play any Power 5 nonconference opponents. Without a triumph against the Buckeyes, Michigan's only win against a CFP top 25 opponent would be versus Penn State. Michigan would lose at least two tiebreakers with several other contenders, including no conference title and strength of schedule.

Sportings News ranks Michigan No. 3 in their latest rankings

The Wolverines survived a scare at Maryland in a 31-24 victory in a look-ahead spot before The Game against Ohio State. Sherrone Moore picked up his second victory in place of Jim Harbaugh – who will serve the rest of a three-game suspension imposed by the Big Ten. Blake Corum (28-94, 2 TDs) and safety Mike Sainristil (2 INTs) stepped up, but J.J. McCarthy (12 of 23, 141 yards, INT) struggled without leading receiver Roman Wilson, who left in the first quarter with an injury.

USA TODAY Sports calls The Game the biggest game in the history of everything.

Well, we’ll say this much. The stakes are probably a bit higher than last year when both the Wolverines and Buckeyes wound up in the playoff anyway. To be sure, the loser will be considered as we laid out last week in this space, but there’s a potentially more crowded field this time. We’ll also stipulate that it’s undoubtedly the headliner of the final Saturday before conference championship week, as there’s just one other ranked matchup on the weekend docket


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Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP