Andy Anders, BSB: Calm Win Before Storm
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day may have stated the team isn’t looking past Maryland, but I am. I’m sure many Buckeye fans are.
The real challenge is ahead next week, so what I’m watching for from OSU is continued improvement in areas that will be important next week. Whether it can control the game on the ground and get Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming back involved in the passing game. Whether the run defense looks dominant enough to stop Michigan’s Heisman-contending rusher Blake Corum.
Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and the Terrapins receivers can challenge Ohio State’s secondary, but short of that, there’s not a path to an upset I see here. Even with the Buckeyes on the road. OSU gets ahead big early and rests some key starters for next week.
Ohio State 59, Maryland 24
Jack Emerson, BSB: Buckeyes Win With The Game Looming
Although plenty of Ohio State fans have begun to set their sights toward Nov. 26 and The Game, the Buckeyes are still tasked with taking care of business on the road this week against Maryland.
After a 6-2 start, the Terrapins have come down to earth as they’ve lost their last two games — to Wisconsin and Penn State — by a combined total of 53-10. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who is typically one of the conference’s best signal callers when healthy, has played poorly during the two-game stretch — albeit while battling a leg injury. Tagovailoa has thrown for less than 100 yards in each of the last two games, registering just 77 against Wisconsin and 74 versus Penn State.
While the Maryland offense has dipped in production in recent weeks, the Terrapin defense has struggled all season. Maryland’s defense ranks 10th in the Big Ten in total defense (381.0 yards per game), rushing defense (148.9 yards) and passing defense (232.1), meaning the Buckeyes should have very little trouble cracking it.
Ohio State 52, Maryland 10
Braden Moles, BSB: Looking Ahead Won’t Matter In Ohio State Win
While it seems most of the focus has been shifted to next week’s likely No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup between Ohio State and Michigan, there are still games to be played this week.
The Buckeyes travel to take on Maryland while the Wolverines will host Illinois. It seems Ohio State has been dealt a better hand for the penultimate matchup before The Game, though it still may not be a breeze. The Terrapins are still 6-4 this season, with most of their struggles coming as of late with Tagovailoa hampered by injuries. If he’s healthy, though? He’s one of the better quarterbacks in the conference, excelling both through the air and one the ground.
The defense provides less of a challenge for Ohio State, though it will be up to the Buckeyes to take advantage and continue momentum from last week’s win over Indiana. Running back depth remains a concern, so this will be the last chance to get any kinks sorted out – as least with the healthy running backs – before taking on Michigan. A bounce back game from quarterback C.J. Stroud may not hurt, either, to get him cooking ahead of next week’s game.
Ohio State 45, Maryland 7
