Here are three keys for No. 6 Ohio State against Maryland on Oct. 10:
Handle Maryland’s tempo
Maryland operates at one of the fastest tempos in the country, averaging 23.6 seconds per play, a pace that ranks 12th in the Football Bowl Subdivision, according to TeamRankings.com. The up tempo has not led to a surge in scoring. Its 30.4 points per game are only in the middle of the pack. But the Buckeyes have not seen an offense that plays as quickly as the Terrapins. Their previous fastest opponent this season was Texas, which averages two more seconds between snaps. It could require an adjustment from a defense that has used heavy personnel rotations as it incorporates new pieces. The Buckeyes will need to disrupt the Terrapins’ rhythm and get them off schedule.
Shore up protection
The Buckeyes
allowed four sacks last week at Iowa, nearly as many as the five they had surrendered in their first four games. Heavy blitzing caused the issues, as all four times quarterback Julian Sayin hit the turf followed instances of the Hawkeyes bringing extra pressure, per Pro Football Focus. The pass protection and blitz pickup will need to be better against the Terrapins, who are third in the Big Ten with 14 sacks. Linebacker DD Holmes and defensive tackle Derrick LeBlanc lead Maryland’s pass rush with 2.5 sacks apiece, and defensive end Eyan Thomas also has two sacks.
Start fast
Most teams have experienced slow starts against Maryland, which has allowed seven or fewer points in the first quarter in 21 consecutive games, the sixth-longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Both Nebraska and UCLA turned the ball over against the Terrapins in the opening frame in the previous two weeks. While the Bruins would total 54 points in a lopsided rout, it was not until their fourth drive that they reached the end zone. The gap between these sides is wide enough that the Buckeyes should also be able to overcome a sluggish start, but it would less than ideal the week before they visit Indiana for a rematch of last year’s Big Ten title game.
Key matchup
Ohio State passing defense vs. Maryland passing offense
The Terrapins will test the Buckeyes’ secondary by virtue of their high-volume passing game. Only Hawaii and Cal have thrown the ball more through five weeks. Malik Washington is the triggerman, leaning on Chris Durr Jr., a Wyoming transfer who has the second-most receptions among Big Ten wide receivers after Jeremiah Smith. Durr has caught 42 passes for 461 yards and four touchdowns. But Maryland’s aerial attack can be a double-edged sword. Washington has thrown more interceptions (six) than touchdowns (one) in two conference games, and three of the picks were returned for touchdowns. The competitiveness of this matchup is likely to hinge on whether Maryland can find more success through the air. If not, the Buckeyes are likely to capitalize on mistakes.
Key stat
2: Wins by Maryland in its last 20 Big Ten games, a stretch that began with the start of conference play in 2024.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How can Ohio State football beat Maryland? 3 keys for Buckeyes' homecoming game
