Three Pistols

Marlin Klein hurdled a fool. (Michigan Athletics)

Well, Tom Thomson came paddling past

I'm pretty sure it was him

And he spoke so softly in accordance to the

Growing of the dim

He said, "I'll bring on a brand new renaissance

Because I think I'm ready

When I was shaking all night long

But my hands were steady"

--"Three Pistols" by The Tragically Hip from their 1991 album Road Apples

There isn't going to be much to this one today, because there really wasn't much to this game.  The game before The Game is always weird, because it is almost inevitably a trap game.  In 2021, 2023, and now 2025, Michigan went to College Park and took care of business, heading into the Ohio State game with the goal of an appearance in the Big Ten title game still on the table.  The most prominent theme of the game was that injuries tested the depth of the running back room (but 100 yards on 20 carries for Bryson Kuzdzal works, as does 71 yards on 8 carries from Tomas O'Meara in the fourth quarter), but really, there was not a lot of meat on this bone.  Maryland scored on its opening drive, only to give Michigan excellent field position after a failed surprise onside kick. The easiest way to explain it is that Hudson Hollenbeck was never called upon to punt in this one, and every drive entered Maryland territory.

The biggest concerns from the day were that Max Bredeson was seen on the sideline in crutches, which is troubling, and several key players were out (but were likely held out ahead of The Game).  Michigan handled its business, surpassed last year's win total, and likely clinched a spot in the Citrus Bowl (because the Pac-12's bowl tie-ins are still active for a bit longer). Winning The Game certainly seems like it would be improbable, but then again, we said that last year, and in years before that, and Michigan found a way to Beat Ohio.  Do it again one more time, and let the chips fall where they may. Bring on the brand new renaissance because I think I'm ready.

Beat Ohio.

Tales from the Spreadsheet

• 45-20 IS NOT a Scorigami!  It would have been if Michigan had scored a TD on the last drive.
  
• 46,185 were in attendance for the game (the second smallest crowd of the season and the first time Michigan has played in front of back-to-back announced crowds of less than 60,000 since at Purdue and at Minnesota in 2008).
• Win 1,021.
  
  
• Michigan moves to 12-1-0 all-time against the University of Maryland-College Park.  This is Michigan's ninth straight win in the series against the Terrapins.
• Michigan improves to 10-8-0 all-time on November 22 (this was Michigan's first game on November 22 since 2014, and it was Michigan's only loss to Maryland in the series all-time).  Highlights of 11/22 include 1969 Ohio State, 1997 Ohio State, and 2003 Ohio State.
  
  
• Michigan improves to 24-1-0 when scoring exactly 45 points (the loss is the 2022 Fiesta Bowl).
• Michigan moves to 26-21-1 all-time when allowing 20 points to the opposition.
• Michigan has won 20 games all-time by precisely 25 points, the most recent example being the 2023 Bowling Green game, bka the JJ throws three picks but Michigan still wins game.