Michigan’s talent, cohesiveness, and execution in all three phases have impressed Maryland football head coach Mike Locksley during the Wolverines’ 10-0 start.

Given everything Locksley has endured this season—including the negative publicity from a sign-stealing scandal and the two separate suspensions of their head coach—their appreciation has only grown.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for them,” Locksley told reporters on Tuesday in College Park.

The ability of 18 to 22-year-olds to compartmentalize and concentrate on the task at hand “demonstrates the type of team that they have developed over there,” even though it is obvious that they are dealing with their own problems.

Locksley will get a close look at the Wolverines on Saturday at Maryland Stadium (12:05 p.m. ET, FOX).

Last season, Maryland pushed Michigan hard in the Big Ten opener, which Michigan won 34-27. In 2021, Michigan annihilated Maryland in College Park. Both victories are part of Michigan’s 22-game winning streak in the Big Ten.

Michigan outscored opponents by 31.5 points per game on average, seven more than any other team in the country.

“The last two days, I had an opportunity to watch all three phases and they’re one of those teams that it isn’t one player that’s kind of the marquee guy,” Locksley said in a statement.

“What stands out on the tape is that they have a group of really good players who appear to play well together.”

When asked about Michigan’s defense, Locksley mentioned Maryland native Kris Jenkins, son of former Terrapin Kris Jenkins.

He brought up cornerback Will Johnson. He did, however, emphasize that it is a collaborative effort. “They are a well-oiled machine, especially on the defensive side of the ball,” said Locksley.

“They play really well. They don’t make many mistakes, so you’ll have to execute at an extremely high level.”

Lockley was questioned about Michigan’s off-field problems. The Big Ten suspended Jim Harbaugh for the rest of the regular season on Friday, the day before Michigan’s win at Penn State, as punishment for the program’s sign-stealing allegations. (Harbaugh will attempt to return to the sidelines in time for the game via the courts.)

“None of that has anything to do with us,” Locksley stated emphatically. “Whatever is going on up in Michigan is none of our business.” We must concentrate on the things we can control and the things we must do. … What happens in Ann Arbor has nothing to do with us.”

The allegations were made known to Big Ten members several weeks ago. Maryland switched signals at the time, according to Locksley.

“We made a lot of the necessary adjustments because, as you read and hear, if one (team) has ’em, anybody can have ’em.

We have undoubtedly confused our lines of communication and our offensive and defensive capabilities, but we do not think that will matter.

Maryland (6-4, 3-4) hadn’t won since September before beating Nebraska 13-10 on Saturday. “It was much needed,” said Locksley. “I can tell you that being able to get back on the winning track rejuvenated that locker room.”

It will take more than positive vibes to keep up with Michigan. According to Locksley, Maryland must play a “near perfect game” to prevail.

“Very few times in your career do you get to have what I call a ‘breakthrough’ type of game,” he went on to say. “If we could integrate everything this week, it would be a huge breakthrough for our program.”