It’s not long before Michigan’s arch nemesis comes visiting at Ann Arbor. Wolverine fans want Sherrone Moore to pull off yet another Ohio State upset. It’s been some time since this mood has dimmed at UM, so a win over the Buckeyes will definitely fire them up. But right now, the priorities are different for Sherrone Moore and Co.

Ohio State is the game on Michigan’s calendar. However, the hype for that big one doesn’t take away from the fact that there are still other games to play. Wink Martindale, at the moment, clearly isn’t interested in the Buckeyes. At the November 19 availability, before a reported could even finish the question about prep for Ohio State, the DC shook his head in dismissal. “I’m focused on Maryland. You can’t afford to do anything else,” Martindale said. “We’re in playoff football mode.”

Ohio State remains unbeaten, while Michigan has already dropped twice this season. The Buckeyes are pretty much guaranteed to make a return to the playoffs, even if they lose the Michigan game. Sherrone Moore and Co., however, have to continue the current winning streak to hope for a spot in the playoffs. They’ll definitely have to defeat OSU for that, but they also have to post a commanding win over the Terrapins to make their playoffs fight strong.

Unlike Ohio State, Michigan has a lot more at risk here. OSU remains unbeaten and pretty much guaranteed to make a return to the playoffs. That’ll be so even if they lose the Michigan game. The Wolverines, however, are in a danger zone with 2 losses. They’ll definitely have to defeat OSU for that, but they also have to post a commanding win over the Terrapins to make their playoffs fight strong.

Maryland is the clear underdog in this clash, which is why Michigan should come elbows out. But the Terrapins aren’t all bad. They have a great QB in Malik Washington, even if he slips up in the game. And, Maryland still gave a tough fight to Washington and UCLA, which should alert Michigan too. The Wolverines, on the other hand, just managed to escape losing to Northwestern last weekend. Michigan has also lost Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall to injuries, who make up the lead of the rushing attack. Martindale first has to restrict the Maryland offense, before focusing on the big game.

“We got to have a great Tuesday, a great Wednesday, a great Thursday, a great Friday before we go down to Maryland. I like the rhythm that we’re in defensively and all aspects of it and preparation and everything else. So, it’s going to be a fun game to watch, like they all are,” Martindale said.

After all, it’s not just the rivalry win alone that will take Michigan to the playoffs. Defeating Ohio State Is a goal, but so is making it further past. Sherrone Moore too is zeroing in on the Terrapins., indicating that Ohio State is clearly not a current conversation at Ann Arbor.

Sherrone Moore ends talk of Maryland being a ‘trap game’

Michigan fans are already in OSU mood. The game is still around 2 weeks away, and Michigan still has one more opponent to get through. Though Maryland is a far easier obstacle than Ohio State, it is still an obstacle. Sherrone Moore dismissed all talks about this penultimate game being a “trap game.” It’s a moniker that’s become associated with this game in particular, and Moore was having none of it.

“Don’t even talk about the final game,” the HC said at a November 17 presser. “This is not a trap game. There’s nothing about this game that is a trap game. There’s zero trap game on this. This is about a really good team that if you don’t play well, you will get beat. Everybody knows what’s ahead, but we got to go execute. We got to go prepare for this one like our lives depend on it. It’s a playoff game for us in this in this building,”

Michigan, at 8-2, will have to bolster its record so much that it outshines other Big 10 playoff contenders. All in all, it’s Michigan’s battle to lose if they mess this one up. Sherrone Moore will definitely not escape the wrath of fans if he loses to OSU. But will missing out for the playoffs hurt less than Ohio State winning?