The scoreline—a decisive Michigan 45, Maryland 20—paints a picture of a comfortable, no-drama victory for the No. 18 Wolverines in College Park. But for anyone watching the lead-up and the early stages of this contest, the sense of dread surrounding the quintessential "trap game" was palpable. The win was a crucial, necessary step for Michigan, yet it also served as a final, uneasy reminder of the mistakes they must shed before "The Game" against Ohio State next week.

For weeks, the narrative around this matchup was less about Maryland's potential and more about Michigan's mindset. With an 8-2 record and CFP hopes still flickering, facing a struggling 4-7 Terrapins squad was the ultimate focus test. Early on, it seemed the Wolverines were failing. Maryland, playing their final home game and honoring their seniors, showed heart, putting together a superb opening drive for a touchdown that sent a nervous ripple through the Maize and Blue faithful.

However, the reality of the two teams' trajectories quickly asserted itself. While the offense, led by freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, occasionally struggled to find a consistent rhythm—especially dealing with key injuries in the running back room—the Wolverines' defense remained the undisputed backbone of the team. They eventually smothered the Terrapins’ talented but turnover-prone offense. Maryland's true freshman quarterback, Malik Washington, a playmaker in his own right, simply ran into one of the nation’s elite defenses, unable to sustain drives against relentless pressure.

The biggest takeaway from this game isn't the final score, but the turnover margin. Michigan entered the contest sweating over their ball security, having committed seven turnovers in their previous two shaky wins. Facing a Maryland defense that led the Big Ten in interceptions, this was the ultimate high-risk scenario. While the Wolverines didn't achieve perfection, they limited the critical mistakes that had plagued them, a small but significant psychological victory.

Depth Rises to the Challenge

What truly saved Michigan's offense was the emergence of the unheralded. With starting running backs Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall both sidelined, the rushing load fell heavily upon former walk-on Bryson Kuzdzal. He responded with a phenomenal performance, racking up 100 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. His ability to grind out tough yards and finish drives was paramount, a testament to the team's "next man up" philosophy.

Meanwhile, quarterback Bryce Underwood was efficient, completing 16-of-23 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions—a massive step forward after his recent struggles with turnovers. The offense’s success on third down (12-of-14 conversions) demonstrated a newfound focus and discipline, a sign that the team was mentally engaged where it mattered most. This efficiency, combined with a defense that held Maryland to just 71 rushing yards, allowed the Wolverines to steadily pull away. The Maryland game was less a masterpiece and more a successful, brutal exhibition of Michigan's depth and defensive dominance, setting the stage for the true test.

This win allows Michigan to head into the season's ultimate showdown at 9-2, with a measure of momentum and, most importantly, a clean slate of focus. The job against Maryland was to survive and advance, avoiding the pitfalls of looking ahead. They accomplished that. Now, the season truly begins. The win over Maryland was the final, non-negotiable prerequisite; the performance against Ohio State will define the 2025 Michigan Wolverines.