Maryland heads into one of the toughest road tests in college football trying to snap a three-game skid, and the setting does not do the Terps any favors. Week 6 takes them to Ohio Stadium, where No. 5 Ohio State awaits for a 4:15 kickoff on the Big Ten Network.
The Buckeyes have every reason to feel confident in this matchup, and Jeremiah Smith sits at the center of it. The Heisman candidate has been almost impossible to contain, with only a stretch against Texas really slowing him down. Maryland does have a top receiver of its own in Chris Durr Jr., but the Terps are walking into an air battle they’re not built to win against a team chasing a CFP bye.
That challenge gets even steeper because Maryland’s secondary is banged up. Jamare Glasker and Jayden Shipps are both doubtful, while Amari Jackson is questionable.
There’s also a possibility the Terps turn to Dontay Joyner for his season debut after he was briefly removed from the roster for harassment charges. It’s a desperate move from a coach with a scorching-hot seat, and one that may not change much against this Ohio State offense.
Julian Sayin and Smith have become the kind of connection that seems to produce headlines every week, and Maryland’s defense has little room for error trying to slow it down. The Buckeyes’ offense can hurt opponents in chunks, while the Terps have only flashed that kind of explosiveness. That difference is a big part of why Ohio State enters with clear advantages across the board.
The bigger separator, though, is on defense. Ohio State’s front seven has been overpowering all season, especially when passing situations force opponents into obvious downs and distances. That’s exactly where Maryland tends to stall, and it’s hard to see the Terps consistently staying ahead of the chains in Columbus.
Still, there is a path to making things at least somewhat uncomfortable early. Maryland needs to avoid giveaways, stay out of an early hole, and let Malik Washington operate cleanly. A turnover-free day from Washington could help the Terps string together enough drives to keep the game from getting away from them immediately.
If Maryland is going to have any chance of hanging around, the ground game has to matter. DeJuan Williams gave the Terps a boost last weekend in his return, rushing for 78 yards on 10 carries and scoring once. He’ll need to be fed again if Maryland wants to stay on schedule and avoid the long-yardage situations Ohio State loves to create.
Washington also has to sharpen up his decision-making and protect the ball if Maryland is going to keep pace. Tight end Dorian Fleming and wide receiver Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding need more involvement as well. Defensively, the Terps have to do everything they can to limit explosive plays, bracket and double Smith, and generate pressure up front from a line that has 14 sacks this season.
Even with that, the projection is still clear: Maryland can make a brief push and maybe keep it respectable for a stretch, but Ohio State’s talent and defensive steadiness should take over as the game goes on. The Buckeyes are the safer pick to pull away and keep the all-time series in their favor.
In Other News...
Ohio State Fans Have A Cheaper Way To Watch Todays Game
With college football now split across a maze of broadcast windows and streaming packages, Ohio State fans looking to catch todays game have a few different paths to choose from. The latest rundown lays out the major services carrying games this season, including DIRECTV MySports, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and Fox One, with an eye toward which one gives viewers the best mix of price and channel access.
For fans trying to keep costs down, the useful part is not just knowing where the game is, but which bundle is the least painful way in. The guide compares monthly pricing, trial offers and availability so viewers can sort through the clutter without overpaying, which matters more every week as college football moves deeper into the season and the viewing options keep multiplying. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Freshman RBs Shrinking Role Now Carries A Bigger Concern
Legend Beys role has already thinned out for Ohio State, with the freshman running back not appearing in the last two games after seeing only limited work earlier in the season. For a Buckeyes backfield that leans on depth and reliability, any young player who slips out of the rotation quickly becomes a storyline worth watching, especially when the season is still in its early stretch.
Beys situation has taken on a more serious edge because of reports tying him to a speeding citation and an alleged eviction over unpaid rent. It remains unclear whether those off-field issues are connected to his reduced playing time, and the coaching staff has not confirmed any link, which leaves the situation unresolved even as the concern around it continues to grow. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Now Gets The Undefeated Indiana Showdown Everyone Feared
Indiana did not make things easy on itself at Nebraska, but the defending national champions did what winning teams do and found a way to stay perfect. Josh Hoover delivered the biggest throws of the night, hitting Nick Marsh for two fourth-quarter touchdowns after Nebraska had briefly threatened to spoil the evening with a late Anthony Colandrea scoring run. The result kept Indianas win streak rolling and preserved the unbeaten record that has made every week feel like a test.
Now comes the game Ohio State has had circled for some time, the one that will tell a lot about how real this Indiana run is. The Hoosiers head into that matchup still unbeaten, still carrying the pressure that comes with being the champs, and still looking like a team that can survive ugly stretches and win anyway. For the Buckeyes, it is the kind of showdown that brings the stakes up fast, especially with Indiana arriving in Columbus with momentum and no blemishes. [Read more 🡒]