Ohio State got back to business on Saturday and dispatched a very mediocre Indiana team with little resistance. There was some concern going into the game after the Buckeyes had trouble running the ball against lowly Northwestern.
OSU came out with a balanced attack and was able to move the ball on the ground finishing with 340 total rushing yards. Not that running on Indiana was some great feat, however, it was good to see the offense do exactly what it was supposed to do and what it should’ve been able to do in Evanston a week earlier.
Now the Bucks travel to Maryland to take on the Terrapins in College Park. The Terps are a team that can pull off an upset, so Ohio State better not get caught looking ahead.
Let’s get ready for the game before The Game!
Records and Broadcast Information
Records
Ohio State (10-0), Maryland (6-4)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, Nov. 19
Game Time: 3:30 P.M. EST
Network: ABC
Venue: Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium (College Park, Maryland) Capacity: 54,000
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads 7-0
Last Meeting: Ohio State defeated Maryland 66-17 in 2021
Ohio State Potential Game Plan for Victory
This Maryland team is hard to figure out. We see this from Mike Locksley’s club year after year. The Terrapins seem to start off looking like world-beaters only to limp to the finish line of the season.
This year has been no different. After going toe to toe with Michigan in week four, Maryland has been pounded the past two weeks by Wisconsin and Penn State. It’s like the Terps just run out of gas toward the end of the year.
However, this isn’t a team that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Maryland has a more than capable offense led by quarterback Taulia Tugovailoa. The Terps QB is completing close to 70 percent of his passes and has thrown for 14 touchdowns.
Tugoavailoa spreads the ball around quite a bit, but his favorite target is Rakim Jarrett. The pair have hooked up for 37 receptions and over 400 yards. Maryland also likes to use freshman running back Roman Hemby out of the backfield in the passing game. Hemby is also closing in on a 1,000-yard season on the ground.
Pressure on the Tugoavailoa will be key. This young man can sling it if given time. However, the Terp’s offensive line doesn’t always give that gift as the unit has given up 29 sacks total on the year.
On the offensive side of the ball, Ohio State should be able to continue working on the ground game. While Maryland has been somewhat stout in holding opposing passing attacks in check, the opposite is true of its run defense. The Terrapins are giving up big chunks on the ground.
It’s also safe to say that Maryland hasn’t seen a passing game like the Buckeye aerial assault this season. C.J. Stroud and company should be able to move the ball on the Terrapin defense with little trouble.
Two Key Players for Ohio State
Dallan Hayden – Running Back
The running back room keeps getting thinner with each passing week. Freshman, Dallan Hayden has been about the only running back that has been able to stay healthy this year. And the Buckeyes may need to rely on him more than originally planned at this stage in the season. Ryan Day said that the injury to Miyan Williams isn’t serious and that he expects TreVeyon Henderson to be back this week, but who knows? Hayden may end up being a key figure as the season is winding down.
Too easy for Dallan Hayden 🔥@OhioStateFB's offense is cruising in the first half pic.twitter.com/SuxKDiQXJg
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 12, 2022
Lathan Ransom – Safety
Lathan Ransom has emerged as a leader on the Ohio State defense. Last week alone, he recorded nine tackles, 1.5 sacks, and blocked a punt. Jim Knowles really likes what he has in Ransom and he’ll be used in a variety of spots and situations against Maryland. One of which will be helping cover the Terp’s second-leading receiver, tight end Corey Dyches.
✅ Sack
✅ Blocked puntLathan Ransom (@L8thanRansom) just had a huge sequence for No. 2 @OhioStateFB. pic.twitter.com/1QL5NccrWX
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 12, 2022
The Prediction
The Buckeyes played like they had a chip on their shoulder this past week. And they probably did after hearing all week how they were soft because they couldn’t run the ball against Northwestern. They proved otherwise in steamrolling Indiana.
With The Game looming, there is a chance Ohio State isn’t focused for its afternoon kick in College Park. Maryland can be a sneaky team and the Bucks could find themselves in a battle similar to when the Wolverines played the Terrapins.
However, Mike Locksley’s crew has been on a downward spiral, and playing Ohio State isn’t going to help the tailspin the Terps seem to be in. Maryland may keep it close in the first half, but I see the Buckeyes keeping the proverbial foot on the gas and cruising to 11-0 and a date with TTUN for the Big Ten East crown.
Final Score
Ohio State 56, Maryland 17
TIPICO Line
Ohio State -27.5
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