Ohio State returns home for a game against Maryland at 4:15 p.m. Oct. 10.
Here are our predictions for the game:
Ohio State vs. Maryland predictions
Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 48, Maryland 13: The matchups between the former East Division foes have long been lopsided. The Buckeyes’ average margin of victory over Maryland is 35.3 points in the Ryan Day era, the largest against any Big Ten opponent they’ve faced more than once. It won’t be any more competitive this year. The Terrapins allowed a combined 102 points over their first two conference games, consecutive losses to UCLA and Nebraska, and Malik Washington, a promising sophomore quarterback, has hit a rough stretch. Expect the Buckeyes to pour it on.
Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 43, Maryland 0: The
Turtles' offense goes into a shell against an improving OSU defense that keeps Maryland off the scoreboard. The Buckeyes offense, meanwhile, keeps chugging along against an overmatched Terrapins secondary at a loss on how to keep Jeremiah Smith from adding to the Heisman Trophy hype. Plus, a Legend Bey sighting.
Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 48, Maryland 6: The Terrapins are the only opponent left on Ohio State’s schedule that is under .500 through Week 5 (2-3). With the Buckeyes riding the momentum of a top-15 victory over Iowa, they should easily put together a strong outing against Maryland. Specifically, the defense can build off limiting Iowa to just 39 rushing yards, as the Terrapins have been held to under 100 rushing yards twice this season. If the Buckeyes establish a large enough lead before halftime, some of their starters may only play half this game, especially with No. 5 Indiana on deck.
Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 49, Maryland 13: The Terrapins had a 23-14 lead against Nebraska last week before it all came crashing down. After throwing four interceptions against UCLA, Maryland quarterback Malik Washington had a much better game facing Nebraska but still threw two interceptions before the Cornhuskers put up 35 unanswered points and 447 total yards of offense. The Buckeyes will cruise past Maryland in a largely noncompetitive homestand.
Bold predictionsOhio State records a pick-6
Joey Kaufman: The Buckeyes will pick off quarterback Malik Washington and return it for a touchdown. Consider two trends: Washington’s six interceptions are the most among Big Ten quarterbacks, and all of them have come in the past two weeks. The Buckeyes are also getting their hands on passes. Their 29 pass break-ups are the second-most in the Football Bowl Subdivision and include 15 in their two conference games. With no one in the Big Ten throwing the ball as often as Maryland, there will be opportunities for Ohio State’s secondary to make plays.
OSU defense earns shutout
Rob Oller: The Buckeyes defense records its first shutout since blanking Wisconsin 34-0 on Oct. 18. Maryland quarterback Malik Washington is in for a long day as OSU finally shows a steady pass rush that forces the Terps into three interceptions and two fumbles.
Ohio State logs 3 interceptions
Brianna Mac Kay: Ohio State’s defense has grabbed only four interceptions this season, with each one being recorded in a different game. But in most of those games, the Buckeyes were fingertips away from adding another interception. Maryland quarterback Malik Washington has thrown six interceptions in the Terrapins' first two games against Big Ten opponents. If the defense avoids letting passes slip through its fingers, the Buckeyes could force Maryland into multiple interceptions.
Jeremiah Smith becomes 1st Big Ten player with 3 consecutive 200-yard games
Dan Aulbach: Only one other Big Ten player besides Smith has recorded back-to-back 200-receiving-yard games, according to FOX Sports research. In the 2020 college football season, Indiana receiver Ty Fryfogle had games of 200 and 218 yards, the latter he recorded against the Buckeyes. In the next game, Fryfogle recorded just two catches for 10 yards … against Maryland. Jeremiah Smith will get over the hump and have another big performance.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Our Ohio State football experts make bold predictions for the Maryland game
