Maryland is pretty much the same as they have been for a few years--feisty, a bit of a challenge, but not close. This time they came within half a foot of a big play several times which would have made it closer, but only a little. It is rational: Mike Locksley is the going or market coach.
And that indeed is the most salacious part of the season climax. The top five, or maybe 7-8, are powerful. The season is a success and a playoff championship is possible. Their coaches are not leaving, NIL is intact, and the strong season suggests talent and management cannot be improved much. The goal is to stay the course.
It started with Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State. Then the whoppers of Franklin and Kelly. Luke Fickell is declared safe. Jonathan Smith and Michigan State is just sad.
Anyway, they're declaring. They are making choices.
(Curious--what is the comparison between Malik Washington and Bryce Underwood? Pretty similar.)
All season Michigan has not challenged that level. They have feasted on out of conference and bottom-dwelling teams. In their only two tests (Oklahoma and USC) they were blown out.
They are not in the top ten. They are barely in the top twenty. Even if they manage to beat Ohio State I cannot see Michigan in the playoff.
And I expect the winner will be Ohio State.
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