Sherrone Moore on Michigan's trip to Maryland: 'This is not a trap game'

With a highly anticipated showdown against Ohio State looming just a little over a week away, Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore made one thing abundantly clear. The Wolverines are not overlooking Maryland. 

Moore, who has been adamant about keeping his team grounded during a pivotal stretch of the season, shut down any suggestion that Saturday’s matchup could be considered a “trap game.”

“Don’t even talk about the final game. Don’t do it,” Moore told reporters, halting any attempts to steer the conversation toward Ohio State. When asked about the possibility of looking ahead, Moore answered bluntly: “It’s not a trap game. This is a good team; this is not a trap game. 

“There is nothing about this game that is a trap game. There’s zero trap game on this. This is a really good team that, if you don’t play well, you will get beat.”

Continuing, Moore even invoked Nick Saban’s famous warning about “rat poison,” suggesting outside noise is the only thing that can disrupt Michigan’s rhythm: “The trap is like the Nick Saban ‘poison’ comment, trying to get us,” he said. 

It was a pointed message from a coach determined to ensure his players maintain focus after navigating his team’s schedule to an 8-2 record. As it pertains to Maryland, Michigan enters the matchup having dominated the series. 

This will be the 13th meeting between the programs, with the Wolverines winning 11 of the previous 12. They’ve taken eight straight from Maryland and hold an 8–1 record against the Terrapins since the two became Big Ten East rivals. 

Still, Moore doesn’t want history or rankings influencing the team’s mindset. For him, Maryland represents another fully capable Big Ten opponent with enough talent to challenge Michigan if the Wolverines lose their edge. 

With a playoff berth and division title still hanging in the balance, Moore is doing everything he can to keep the focus on Saturday. Not the heavyweight showdown waiting the following week.

Still, it’s tough not to think about the idea. A victory over Ohio State in Ann Arbor would put the Wolverines right in the middle of the College Football Playoff conversation. There’s no denying that.

However, a loss to the capable Terrapins inside SECU Stadium in College Park would doom those hopes before they could ever get rolling. It all kicks off at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, and Big Ten Network will be carrying all of the action.