Michigan Wolverines

No. 15 Michigan aims to tune up versus Maryland before tests

Published Oct. 4, 2018 12:13 p.m. ET

Maryland (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) at No. 15 Michigan (4-1, 2-0), noon ET (ABC).

Line: Michigan by 17.

Series record: Michigan leads 6-1.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

The Wolverines need a confidence-building tuneup before playing Wisconsin, at Michigan State and Penn State in their next three games. The Terrapins are aiming for their second win against a ranked team this season.

KEY MATCHUP

The start of the game. Michigan has struggled early in some games and Maryland might be able to build momentum if it can continue the trend. The Wolverines trailed Northwestern 17-0 last week, were tied with SMU 7-all late in the second quarter and fell behind 14-0 against Notre Dame.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Maryland: TB Ty Johnson. The senior running back ran for 123 yards in a win over Minnesota for his second 100-yard game of the season and 10th of his career. He was held to 30 yards rushing on 11 carries in a win over No. 23 Texas.

Michigan: FB Ben Mason. He has run for four TDs on 11 carries this season and has six touchdowns on 14 career carries. Mason is used both as a traditional fullback and as the only back behind QB Shea Patterson.

FACTS & FIGURES

Former Michigan defensive coordinator DJ Durkin is on administrative leave pending results of an independent investigation about the culture of the program and first-year offensive coordinator Matt Canada is Maryland's interim coach. ... The Wolverines are facing a team coming off a bye for the second straight week ... Michigan has won three straight in the series since losing 23-16 to the Terrapins at home in 2014 ... Maryland has a 1.25-plus turnover margin, leading the Big Ten and ranking 10th in the nation ... Michigan DE Chase Winovich has a Big Ten-best 10 ½ tackles for losses, ranking third in the country.