Big Ten play resumes for Ohio State today with a home test against Maryland, who brings a 5-0 record to Ohio Stadium for the Buckeyes’ fifth game of the season.
Maryland
TERRAPINS
Although the Buckeyes are favored to win today’s game by nearly three touchdowns, there’s plenty to watch for in the Shoe this afternoon. Will the Buckeyes’ bye-week work to improve their short-yardage offense pay dividends? Can JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer finally get their names on the sack chart this season? Most importantly, will the Buckeyes take care of business to remain unbeaten on the year and improve to 9-0 all-time against the Terps?
We dive into the biggest questions surrounding Ohio State entering its first game of October, some players we’ll be keeping a close eye on this afternoon and make our best bets for how today’s action will play out.
Biggest Questions
Will Ohio State’s pass rush start tallying up sacks?
Sacks aren’t the be-all, end-all for a defense’s success; as Jim Knowles said this week, it’s more important that Ohio State gets off the field on third and fourth downs and limits big plays. Still, it’s shocking to see Ohio State – a team that often ranked among the national leaders during the earlier years of Larry Johnson’s tenure – tied for 126th out of 133 teams with only five sacks this season.
Ohio State has yet to have more than two sacks in a game this season and didn’t have any against Notre Dame. Today would be a great day for Tuimoloau, Sawyer and the rest of Ohio State’s pass rushers to change that against a Maryland passing attack that ranks 19th nationally with 297.4 yards per game. It won’t be easy, however, as Taulia Tagovailoa is a mobile quarterback who can make pass rushers miss and Maryland has allowed only three sacks this season.
– Dan Hope
Can Ohio State finally find the efficiency it wants in short yardage?
It's no secret that Ohio State's had issues converting with consistency in short-yardage situations. They are 12-of-22 (54.5 percent) converting for first downs on third- and fourth-down attempts of 3 yards or less.
Ryan Day said this week that that number needs to be above 80 percent. As the team's new-look offensive line now has a month of experience under its belt and an off-week to address such issues, it will be important for the Buckeyes to take a step forward in the short-yardage department against the Terrapins.
– Andy Anders
How will Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers perform?
After Ohio State's win over Notre Dame, some Buckeye fans criticized Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers for their performances, wondering if the veteran linebackers even made the trip to South Bend, Indiana, for the top-10 showdown. In a press conference on Wednesday, Chambers said the criticism was warranted, as he believes the defensive duo needs to perform better in matchups with opponents.
“Honestly, we played pretty bad,” he said. “I mean, we take responsibility for everything that happened in that game as far as scores and whatnot. We’ve got to play a lot better. I feel like we went in with a good game plan – we just weren’t able to make adjustments on the field as far as their run schemes, some of their passes and whatnot. That’s on us.”
Against an explosive Maryland offense, Eichenberg and Chambers need to be at their best for Ohio State to keep the Terrapins at bay. We will see if they are up to the task.
- Chase Brown
Is this Maryland team actually good or a byproduct of its schedule?
Maryland is 5-0 for the first time in a long time, and fans of the Terps should be excited because why the hell not? But that schedule has been softer than the world's most comfortable pillow, with Maryland's best win probably coming against a Michigan State team that allowed 26 points to Iowa.
To the Terrapins' credit, they've won big against everyone they've faced. But we've seen the September Terps get off to fast starts the past couple years, only to struggle later in the year. Led by arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the conference, can Maryland go into Columbus and give Ohio State a scare? I have my doubts, but we'll see soon enough.
- Garrick Hodge
Players to Watch
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison said this week that the ankle sprain he suffered against Notre Dame is worse than the one he played through last year, leaving in question whether Ohio State’s No. 1 wide receiver will be in his usual form today. Considering Harrison was a unanimous All-American despite playing most of last season on a sprained ankle, and that he made plays even with that injury at Notre Dame, I anticipate we’ll see a productive game from Harrison nonetheless. But it will be worth monitoring whether he’s noticeably hampered at all by the injury and whether he comes out of the game more than he normally would.
– Dan Hope
Denzel Burke
Ohio State's best cornerback couldn't help but admit he was a little bored after only being targeted once in the Notre Dame win. When speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Burke said he hopes Maryland throws the ball his way a little more. If the Terps decide to attack Burke, the Buckeyes could be in for a big day on defense. If not, at least that likely means one side of the field is covered effectively.
- Garrick Hodge
JT Tuimoloau
As mentioned above, Ohio State's sack production has been fairly anemic in 2023, even if the Buckeyes are generating some pressure on opposing quarterbacks. If anyone is to right the ship and finally get home off the edge, it will more than likely be the five-star prospect who had one of the greatest defensive performances in team history last season and is fresh off making two big plays against Notre Dame down the stretch in Week 4.
– Andy Anders
Kyle McCord
Kyle McCord has one interception in 2023, which came back in the team's Week 1 win over Indiana on Sept. 2. Since then, the Buckeyes' QB1 has attempted 101 passes and tossed zero (0) picks. But McCord will be tested versus Maryland, as the Terps' defense has recorded eight interceptions in five contests – a mark that ranks third in the FBS behind Liberty and Oklahoma. Pass the test, win the game.
- Chase Brown
Best Bets
Ohio State to cover the spread (-19.5)
Seeing as Maryland currently ranks in the top 16 nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense, the Terrapins certainly appear capable of giving Ohio State a competitive game today. But I think Maryland’s statistics are inflated by the fact that the Terps have yet to play a team that holds a winning record this season, and Ohio State has a history of dominance both in games after bye weeks and in home games against Maryland. I don’t necessarily expect Ohio State to cruise to a blowout, but I do expect the Buckeyes to win by at least 20 points in the end.
– Dan Hope
Kyle McCord over 267.5 passing yards (FanDuel)
McCord is brimming with confidence after leading a game-winning drive against Notre Dame and has a favorable matchup against a Maryland team that lost two defensive backs from a season ago to the NFL draft. OSU will have the most skill talent the Terps have faced by far this season, and McCord could very be in line for a 300-yard-plus day as a result.
- Garrick Hodge
Cade Stover over 35.5 receiving yards (DraftKings)
I've been correct on an over for Cade Stover receiving yards on a previous last call this season, and I'm dipping my toes back into the well again. Stover is averaging 60 yards receiving per game in 2023, and with Harrison's above-mentioned ankle injury, I expect Stover to maintain a workload that is at least similar to that number.
– Andy Anders
Miyan Williams to score a touchdown (+270 on FanDuel)
Skull Session readers received an advanced notice on my Best Bet for this week: Miyan Williams to score a touchdown. On The Ryan Day Radio Show, Day hinted that Williams would be more involved in the offense versus Maryland. It stands to reason that the 5-foot-9, 229-pound bruiser would receive one or two carries near the goal line, and I believe he will capitalize when his name is called.
- Chase Brown
