Predicting the final score of Michigan vs. Maryland

After escaping Wrigley Field with a win over Northwestern, Michigan is back on the road this weekend. The Wolverines head to College Park to take on a Maryland team that has dropped its last six games.

There will be some uncertainty regarding Michigan heading into this game. Not only did Sherrone Moore shake up the special teams, but the Wolverines might not have their top two running backs. Justice Haynes is done for the regular season, and Jordan Marshall left last week. Marshall is day-to-day and the Wolverines could have to lean on former walk-on Bryson Kuzdzal.

Here is how our staff sees this game going.

Trent Knoop

Michigan has had a bad tendency to play to the level of its competition. In the last three games, against Michigan State, Purdue, and Northwestern, the Wolverines haven't looked the best -- especially on offense.

Maryland is a very opportunistic defense, leading the Big Ten in interceptions gained. With how Michigan's offense has been, it wouldn't be shocking to see Bryce Underwood throw at least one INT. Add on injuries at running back, and this game could be closer than the oddsmakers believe.

While I think Malik Washington will threaten the Michigan defense at times, I look for the Wolverines' defense to get enough pressure to rattle him and allow Michigan to come out on top.

Final score: Michigan 27, Maryland 13

Seth Berry

Maryland QB Malik Washington can be incredibly dangerous with both his arm and his feet, and for the Wolverines to have success on that side of the ball, they need to improve upon the number of big plays they allowed from last week, because Washington and the Terrapins are capable of making them. However, Washington doesn't have a whole lot of support in the run game, and that's not good news for Maryland's offense if Michigan's pass rushers are able to pin their ears back in obvious passing situations.

On the other side of the ball, Maryland's 88th ranked total defense just isn't going to cut it against a Wolverine offense that seems like it's close to clicking on all cylinders. Michigan knows it has to finish strong and play its best football going into the OSU game, so I think a focused Wolverine team prevails easily in this one.

Final score: Michigan 35, Maryland 14

Lucas Reimink

Michigan will travel to Maryland to take on a talented but young football team. Led by true freshmen on both sides of the ball in Malik Washington and Zahir Mathis, this Maryland team is not devoid of star power or talent. They also recently announced that Head Coach Mike Locksley will return in 2026. This Maryland team will fight and play hard but they’re also just 4-6 overall and 1-6 in Big Ten play.

I think Michigan will look to the air to try and get this offense going as both of their top 2 RBs might be out for this game. They also need to get Bryce Underwood playing his best football in anticipation of the Ohio State game. Like many seasons prior, I think this game before the Ohio State game will remain tight throughout the contest and Michigan will win a close one in the end.

Final score: Michigan 31, Maryland 23

Justice Steiner

Until Michigan proves it can play a complete game, I think every game will be close, regardless of the opponent. Combine that with the fact that the Wolverines haven’t looked great on the road and could be looking ahead to Ohio State, this is a scary spot and potential trap game for UofM. Maryland ranks 11th in the conference in total offense (343.9) and 16th in total defense (392.9), so I do think Michigan wins this game. However, it might be closer than it should be.

Final score: Michigan 30, Maryland 17

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Published Nov 21, 2025

TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

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JUSTICE STEINER

A Battle Creek, Mich. native, Justice Steiner has been passionately involved in sports, currently as the sports information director at Davenport University, an NCAA Division II program, where he covers 12 sports. He also serves as the creative services director for the men's and women's baseball teams. Prior to DU, Steiner worked as a graduate assistant in the sports information office at the University of Louisville, working closely with the women's soccer, women's basketball, men's tennis and softball programs. While at Grand Valley State University, Steiner began his writing career at the Grand Valley Lanthorn. He graduated from GVSU with a degree in advertising and public relations.

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LUCAS REIMINK

Lucas is a University of Michigan Alumni who has worked as a sports scouting and video analyst, including covering Michigan football for the past three seasons.

SETH BERRY

Seth began writing on Michigan athletics in 2015 and has remained in the U-M media space ever since, which includes stops at Maize N Brew and Rivals before coming onto Michigan On SI in June of 2025. Seth has covered various angles of Michigan football and basketball, including recruiting, overall team coverage and feature/analysis stories relating to the Wolverines. His passion for Michigan sports and desire to tell stories led him to the sports journalism world. He is a 2020 graduate of Western Michigan University and is the former sports editor of the Western Herald, WMU's student newspaper.

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