Sherrone Moore explains importance of pride, support behind the scenes for Michigan this season

Before Michigan defeated Penn State on the road without their head coach, their players sported ‘Michigan vs. Everybody’ beanies. Embodying their mindset entering last week — the Wolverines dogged the Nittany Lions 24-15.

Moore revealed the moment he realized his Wolverines had sealed the win, but noted that his emotions postgame were a culmination of hardships, a constant grind and the camaraderie of this Michigan football team at all levels of the program.

“I mean, probably when we were in third and five … we run for nine and know that we won the game,” Moore told Rece Davis on College GameDay on Saturday. “I don’t think people understand the work that’s put in by the staff and the players behind the scenes all year long. You realize in the moment that you won a huge game but just the kids and what they’ve worked for what they’ve done at this point and when you take a lot of pride in the place you’re at, the university, the players, the kids, the staff — it means a lot.

“Some people don’t see that, which is fine. But I really just appreciate this university, the support we have here, and these players most importantly.”

To make a statement, Moore ended up called 32 consecutive run plays against the Nittany Lions, which led to star running back Blake Corum ending the game with 26 rushes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback JJ McCarthy threw eight passes during the contest — and he could have thrown less because of how dominant Corum and Donovan Edwards were on the ground.

Moore also half-heartedly promised Davis to called more pass plays, though that remains to be seen.

Saturday afternoon’s opening kickoff is scheduled for Noon ET live on Fox. The Wolverines are 19.5-point favorites over Maryland on the road, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, while the over/under line is set at 50.5 total points.

Everything that Michigan has worked for this season would go up in smoke if they were to get upset before Week 13’s season finale against Ohio State in 2023’s edition of The Game. However, the fact that the Terrapins struggled to score 13 points against Nebraska last weekend suggests that the Wolverines shouldn’t have much to worry about heading into Saturday.

The same can be said for the Buckeyes, however, who have Minnesota at home, though they pose less of a threat as they are favored by nearly four touchdowns. That being said — if everything goes as planned, Saturday sets the college football world up for a playoff preview for 2023’s edition of The Game with the winner likely taking the Big Ten crown and advancing to the CFP.