ESPN analyst tells Michigan football to “be careful” with Maryland in 2023

The final three games of the 2023 Michigan football schedule appear tougher than the other nine. After a relatively easy start, the Wolverines face late-season road matchups against the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Maryland Terrapins before returning to Ann Arbor to host the Ohio State Buckeyes. According to ESPN analyst Greg McElroy, the Maize and Blue must “be careful” about this Week 12 matchup against Maryland, which poses as a potential trap game on the Wolverines’ schedule.

Michigan football should “be careful” when playing Maryland, says ESPN analyst

Last year, Michigan football won the Big Ten title and appeared in the College Football Playoff, setting a program record of 13 wins in a single season. The Wolverines also defeated the three most formidable teams on their regular season slate — Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State — by at least 22 points each, before crushing Purdue in the Big Ten Championship Game.

That said, one of Michigan’s toughest games last fall was a home matchup against the Maryland Terrapins — while the Wolverines still won, it was a bit too close for comfort down the stretch. This fall, it appears that Maryland will be just as good, perhaps even better, and will be hosting the Wolverines at the perfect time.

In Week 12, coming off the heels of the Penn State game and the weekend before the Ohio State game, Michigan football will head to Maryland for what seems to be the most identifiable trap game on the 2023 slate right now. According to ESPN analyst Greg McElroy, who recently broke down the matchup on ‘Always College Football,’ this is a game that the Wolverines need to be careful with.

“That road trip to Maryland the week before you play in The Big Game is one that does not need to be taken lightly,” ESPN analyst Greg McElroy said. “Maryland has got some firepower. They played Michigan closer than most last year. I think that that group could be a dangerous one, especially when traveling to College Park in the second to last week of the season. When everyone’s talking about ‘What a great win on the road against Penn State.’ And, ‘Hey, get ready for next week — Ohio State is coming to town.’ Be careful of the Terps.”

If Michigan football can avoid an upset against Maryland (and the rest of its schedule, for that matter), the Wolverines could head into Week 13 of the season with a shot at the Big Ten title game for the third consecutive season.

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