COLLEGE PARK, Md. – No. 15 Michigan looks to build on its biggest win of the season when it visits Maryland on Saturday in Big Ten play. The Wolverines rolled up 303 rushing yards en route to an emphatic 45-14 win over then-No. 7 Notre Dame 45-14 to end an eight-game losing skid against Top 10 teams and hope for another offensive explosion against the Terrapins, who they have outscored 164-34 over their last four meetings.
TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Michigan -21.
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"Some of the tests that the team has gone through, you can make a lot of growth from it," Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. "The unconditional belief in each other is also huge." Maryland's season took another turn for the worse following a 52-10 loss to No. 13 Minnesota. The Terrapins, who have dropped five of their last six games since entering the national rankings after a 63-20 win against Syracuse, hope to turn their fortunes around by knocking off the Wolverines for the first time since a 23-16 victory in 2014. "We're in Year 1 of the development stage of our program," Maryland coach Mike Locksley told reporters. "There hasn't been a question for me of the effort, but we haven't seen the corrections that we have to make on a daily basis to translate on Saturdays."
ABOUT MICHIGAN (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten)
Shea Patterson picked up where he left off in the second half of the Penn State game as he threw for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Notre Dame in the driving rain. Sophomore Hassan Haskins led the ground attack with a career-high 149 yards on 20 carries, while Zach Charbonnet added 74 and a pair of touchdowns - his ninth of the season - to equal the program record for most rushing TDs by a freshman shared by Mike Hart (2004) and Tyrone Wheatley (1991). Linebacker Josh Ross is nearing a return after missing the last five games with a high-ankle sprain, while wide receiver Ronnie Bell, who leads the team with 26 catches for 452 yards, is questionable after suffering a lower-body injury against the Fighting Irish.
ABOUT MARYLAND (3-5, 1-4)
Tyrrell Pigrome went 6-of-9 for 43 yards before suffering a left knee injury in the loss to Minnesota and is questionable for Saturday’s clash, although he was able to practice fully on Wednesday. Locksley revealed he won’t name a starter until game time with Josh Jackson, who has seen limited action in the last three games due to an ankle injury, and Tyler DeSue in the running after the freshman quarterback threw his first career touchdown pass against the Golden Gophers. Offensive lineman Terrance Davis (knee) and defensive back Marcus Lewis (lower body) are questionable for Saturday.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Michigan has held four of its last five opponents to fewer than 65 rushing yards.
2. Maryland extended its turnover streak to 20 straight games, which is the longest in the nation.
3. The Wolverines have rushed for nine touchdowns in the last three games.
PREDICTION: Michigan 35, Maryland 13