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Michigan vs. Maryland: Game Preview, How to Watch, Score Predictions and More

Key storylines, YOUR score predictions, how to watch and more in our comprehensive Wolverines/Terrapins preview.

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Harbaugh's 22nd-ranked Michigan Wolverines (3-1) travel to the Washington D.C. area to take on Randy Edsall's Maryland Terrapins (2-2) in a game that already has one big notable storyline developing before kickoff takes place.

The game was originally slated for a prime time kickoff, but due to the threat of inclement weather from Hurricane Joaquin, the decision was made to move the game to noon ET.

Rain and winds look like they will still factor in, which could cause a sloppy game without much explosion from either offense.

Offensively, Michigan will likely focus again on its ground attack, regardless of if De'Veon Smith plays or not (foot injury). They ran for 292 yards against Maryland last season and should be able to have similar success on Saturday afternoon. Jake Rudock will be looking to get through his second straight game without a turnover. It remains to be seen how much of the passing game we will see, but having a zero in the turnover column would be another boost to his confidence.

Michigan's defense has a chance to really shine in this game. The Terrapins are not great offensively and have had quarterback woes throughout this season. Caleb Rowe will get the start for them, who has nine interceptions in three games. Harbaugh has spoken about packing a defense when you hit the road. The bad weather seems to favor the Wolverines here.

On special teams, Maryland poses a great threat in the form of kick return whiz Will Likely, who is one of the best at his craft in all of college football. Harbaugh, John Baxter and company know what he is capable of and have placed an emphasis on special teams play going into this football game.

This is going to be a sloppy game that may be a tough watch at times, but Michigan should pull this one out easily and the score will not be indicative of how dominant they were. I have the Wolverines winning 17-3.

What is your prediction for Saturday's game? Use the widget below to submit your pick!

Game Info

Teams: #22 Michigan Wolverines (3-1) at Maryland Terrapins (2-2)

Date: October 3rd, 2015

Location: Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium (51,802)

Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET

Television: Big Ten Network/BTN2Go

Radio: Michigan/IMG Sports Network (for a list of affiliates, click here)

Spread: Michigan -16

Fun Facts

  • This is the fifth all-time meeting between the Wolverines and Terrapins with Maryland's lone win coming last season at Michigan Stadium.
  • This is the first time that Michigan will travel to Maryland for a game. U-M has a large alumni base in the area, so the maize and blue should be well-represented at the game.
  • Michigan is 82-25-2 all-time in Big Ten openers and have won 44 of its last 47 here with the only losses coming twice to Wisconsin on the road ('81, '05) and at home vs. Minnesota ('14).
  • Maryland is the 11th different Big Ten school that Michigan has opened conference play with all-time.

Hitting the Links: MnB's Michigan vs. Maryland Coverage

10-3 - Michigan vs. Maryland Keys to the Game

10-2 - Staff Roundtable: Michigan vs. Maryland Predictions

10-2 - Michigan vs. Maryland: Matchups to Watch

10-1 - The Michigan Man Podcast Episode 267: Maryland Preview Part II

10-1 - Kickoff Time for Michigan/Maryland Changed to Noon on Saturday

10-1 - Behind Enemy Lines w/ Testudo Times

10-1 - S&P+ Predicts Michigan vs. Maryland Score

9-30 - Tim Drevno Updates De'Veon Smith's Status Heading into Saturday

9-30 - Getting to Know the Maryland Terrapins

9-29 - The Michigan Man Podcast Episode 266: BYU Recap and Maryland Preview

9-29 - Big Ten Picks: Wolverines Heavy Favorites Over Maryland

9-28 - Harbaugh on "High Alert" for Maryland's Special Teams

9-27 - Michigan Opens as 11.5-point Favorite Over Maryland

Week Five College Football TV Schedule

Thu, Oct 1, 2015
7:30 PM ET
ESPNWatchESPN
Miami (FL) at Cincinnati
Fri, Oct 2, 2015
7:00 PM ET
ESPN2WatchESPN
Memphis at South Florida
7:00 PM ET
CBSS
Temple at Charlotte
10:15 PM ET
ESPN2WatchESPN
Connecticut at BYU
Sat, Oct 3, 2015
12:00 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech
12:00 PM ET
SECNWatchESPN
South Carolina at Missouri
12:00 PM ET
ESPN2WatchESPN
Purdue at (2) Michigan State
12:00 PM ET
BTNBTN2Go
Minnesota at (16) Northwestern
12:00 PM ET
ESPNWatchESPN
Iowa at (19) Wisconsin
12:00 PM ET
ESPNUWatchESPN
Army at Penn State
12:00 PM ET
FSNFoxSportsGo
Kansas at Iowa State
12:00 PM ET
FS1FoxSportsGo
(23) West Virginia at (15) Oklahoma
12:00 PM ET
ABC
Texas at (4) TCU
12:00 PM ET
ESPNNWatchESPN
UCF at Tulane
12:00 PM ET
CBSS
Houston at Tulsa
12:30 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Louisville at NC State
2:00 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Ohio at Akron
3:00 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Toledo at Ball State
3:00 PM ET
ESPNWatchESPN
FIU at Massachusetts
3:00 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Northern Illinois at Central Michigan
3:30 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Wyoming at Appalachian State
3:30 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Liberty at Georgia State
3:30 PM ET
CBSS
Air Force at Navy
3:30 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Bowling Green at Buffalo
3:30 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Miami (OH) at Kent State
3:30 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Boston College at Duke
3:30 PM ET
ESPNWatchESPN
(11) Florida State at Wake Forest
3:30 PM ET
ESPNUWatchESPN
North Carolina at Georgia Tech
3:30 PM ET
CBSSEC Live
(13) Alabama at (8) Georgia
3:30 PM ET
ABC/ESPN2WatchESPN
Texas Tech at (5) Baylor
3:30 PM ET
BTNBTN2Go
Nebraska at Illinois
3:30 PM ET
ABC/ESPN2WatchESPN
(1) Ohio State at Indiana
3:30 PM ET
AMSN
Old Dominion at Marshall
3:30 PM ET
FSNFoxSportsGo
Western Kentucky at Rice
4:00 PM ET
FS1FoxSportsGo
Kansas State at (20) Oklahoma State
4:00 PM ET
SECNWatchESPN
San Jose State at Auburn
4:00 PM ET
ESPNNWatchESPN
East Carolina at SMU
4:00 PM ET
PAC12Pac-12 Live
Washington State at (24) Cal
7:00 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Idaho at Arkansas State
7:00 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Georgia Southern at Louisiana-Monroe
7:00 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
Colorado State at Utah State
7:00 PM ET
MWC
UNLV at Nevada
7:00 PM ET
ESPN3WatchESPN
South Alabama at Troy
7:00 PM ET
ESPNWatchESPN
(3) Mississippi at (25) Florida
7:00 PM ET
ESPN2WatchESPN
Arkansas at Tennessee
7:00 PM ET
ESPNUWatchESPN
Eastern Michigan at (9) LSU
7:00 PM ET
CBSS
Vanderbilt at Middle Tennessee
7:00 PM ET
FCS
North Texas at Southern Miss
7:00 PM ET
AMSN
Louisiana-Lafayette at Louisiana Tech
7:30 PM ET
FOXFoxSportsGo
Arizona State at (7) UCLA
7:30 PM ET
SECNWatchESPN
(21) Mississippi State at (14) Texas A&M
7:30 PM ET
SECNWatchESPN
Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky
8:00 PM ET
ABC
(6) Notre Dame at (12) Clemson
8:00 PM ET
Conference USA
Texas-San Antonio at UTEP
8:00 PM ET
BTNBTN2Go
(22) Michigan at Maryland
8:00 PM ET
MWC
New Mexico State at New Mexico
10:00 PM ET
ESPNWatchESPN
Oregon at Colorado
10:15 PM ET
ESPN2WatchESPN
Hawaii at Boise State
10:30 PM ET
PAC12Pac-12 Live
Arizona at (18) Stanford
10:30 PM ET
CBSS
Fresno State at San Diego State