PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Karan Higdon continues to define himself as Michigan’s go-to back, carrying it a career-high 30 times against Northwestern for 115 yards and two touchdowns. “He’s really got the ability to run all the assortment of runs,” Harbaugh said. “He’s not in a category. We have a high level of trust with Karan in every phase, including ball security. The biggest improvement I’ve seen from Karan is the extra yardage, the yards after contact he’s getting. If a play is blocked for two yards he’s getting four or five.”
–After getting sacked six times in the first four games, QB Shea Patterson was sacked just once by Northwestern. Instead he gained 31 yards on seven carries, just the second time this season he’s finished with positive rushing yardage. He ran for 169 yards in three games as a freshman at Ole Miss in 2016 but last season rarely left the pocket.
–WR Nico Collins had a career-high six catches for 73 yards at Northwestern. The sophomore had only seven receptions in Michigan’s first four games.
–DL Chase Winovich had three more tackles for loss, giving him 10.5 for the season. The senior is in a six-way tie for first nationally in that category.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan leads Maryland 6-1, winning three of four meetings since the Terrapins joined the Big Ten. The Wolverines’ only loss in the series came in November 2014 when they fell 23-16 at home.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re concerned about every area of the football program. That’s one area.” — Coach Jim Harbaugh when asked about ranking near the bottom nationally in penalties (9.2) and penalty yards (84.2) per game. Michigan was flagged 11 times for 100 yards at Northwestern.