From now until the season ends in ultimate victory, or defeat, every game is going to have heightened stakes. Ohio State will play a more meaningful game than every previous game in all its contests, beginning tomorrow at 2 p.m. It quite literally does not get bigger than this.
The Buckeyes are a Final Four contender heading into their final stretch of the season. A loss tomorrow does nothing to change that. But there's a TON of positive things that would happen with a win.
Ohio State has already matched its highest ever win total in the Big Ten. Ohio State, with a win at home, would break its record for most Big Ten wins in a season. The Buckeyes could also win their first ever regular season conference championship. Ohio State would extend its longest winning streak ever. And would defeat a Maryland team it hasn't bested in a long, long time.
Did I mention that the last time the Buckeyes hosted the Terps, the Maryland head coach cemented himself as an absolute toolbag by igniting GloveGate? Hello, motivation. And, if we're being honest, there's never been a better version of Maryland to play than this one.
Attack
Maryland is struggling on offense this year. Their best output is 14 goals against Delaware, though they have hit 13 and 12 a few times. Eric Spanos (#7) leads the Terps with 19 goals this season. Braden Erksa (#10) is right behind with 18, as is 5th year Dan Kelly. Spanos is the bigger passing threat, with 11 assists, but this unit is the definition of adequate. They're not going to overwhelm you. Transfer Matt Keegan (#36) also suits up down low, with 14 goals to his credit.
And, after a paltry 6 goal outing against Rutgers last week in Piscataway, the Buckeyes have to be licking their chops on defense.
Midfield
Spanos and Erksa rotate up to midfield at times, setting up some interesting matchups. But after those two, there's no one at midfield. Zach Whittier (#13) is a senior, but only has 6 goals on this season. Whittier leads the team, however, with 13 assists. If you're looking for a dodging threat up top, there he is.
Everything else is pure JAGs. A lot of players with a few points. No one on this offensive unit is going to make Ohio State really scared. And, to be honest, the Terps aren't all that banged up, either. This benefits Ohio State massively.
Defense
As bad as Maryland has been offensively, they've been equally as excellent on defense. The Terrapins are only allowing teams to shoot .215 this season. That's just unfair. The 57.3% for SOG is pretty good. But the shooting % is jaw dropping.
Will Schaller (#27), Jackson Canfield (#50), and Colin Burlace (#40) will anchor the backline for Maryland. Ohio State, if we're being honest, is going to have to work for every goal. As good as the Buckeyes are, they're not going to face a tougher D all year. Yes, including Notre Dame.
In goal, Maryland has #1, Logan McNaney. McNaney is a grizzled, talented veteran between the pipes. Sporting an insane .615 save percentage, McNaney is the keeper everyone outside of OSU and Rutgers wishes they had on their team. The guy only had 7 saves against Rutgers, but that was still almost 50%. And if you take out the goalie goal that happened on Maryland's 10-man ride, McNaney allowed just 7 goals on 14 shots on net.
This game could very well be 3-2 with 2 minutes left.
Faceoff
In a tremendously cruel twist of fate, Maryland's starting FOGO is Shea Keethler (#25). Keethler is a Golden Bear, quite literally the product of Nick Myers' backyard program in Upper Arlington. Sitting pretty at 58% on the year, Keethler has stabilized Maryland's spot, as the other FOGOs have been well under 50%. The Buckeyes need Jack Oldman to shake off the dreadful Hopkins performance, and get to 50%. Rutgers was 7 of 17 last Saturday, which will not cut it for the Buckeyes.
Overall
This game could be a replay of the Bryant game, where neither team can manage to string a bunch of goals together. Or it could be an absolute turkey shoot, with goals galore. I don't see the latter, personally. Maryland is going to shut down Ohio State for long stretches. The Terps are just too good defensively to be beaten consistently. Ohio State needs to capitalize on opportunities in transition, keep playing their offensive game, and lean on Caleb Fyock to give them 12+ saves again to win this. I think this Ohio State team is amped for tomorrow. Maryland has to come to Columbus, off a dreadful performance, with little momentum and their championship dreams in tatters. Their revenge is spoiling Ohio State's season. Nothing more. The Buckeyes have every accolade to play for, and bitter hatred for the mighty Terrapins. Edge, Buckeyes.
Final prediction: Ohio State 9, Maryland 7.
Go Bucks!
Game is on BTN, at 2 p.m. EDT.
