Ohio State Buckeyes Week 6 Opponent Preview: Maryland Terrapins
The No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes are back at Ohio Stadium for a date with the Maryland Terrapins with some momentum in their program.
Ohio State used a last-second, final-drive game-winning touchdown to take down then-No. 9 Notre Dame. Did the bye week kill their momentum? It doesn't feel like it.
The Buckeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) needed the outside motivation from Lou Holtz questioning their physicality, the public defense from head coach Ryan Day and the emotional victory to get the pistons pumping ahead of the Big Ten slate.
It feels like Maryland (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) is the bug and Ohio State is the windshield this weekend, especially with the game being played in Columbus.
The Buckeyes have won all eight matchups against the Terrapins and have been particularly strong at the 'Shoe, notching a 4-0 record while averaging 62.5 points per game and beating Maryland by 44.3 points each contest.
The last two games played in College Park, Maryland, are the only times that the series history has been decided by less than 21 points or more.
On the first play of last year's game, former quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with Marvin Harrison Jr. on a 29-yard pitch-and-catch down the sideline in which the Buckeyes' receiver made a one-handed snag while being interfered by Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks.
It looked as if Ohio State was off to the races, but for every score it put up, Maryland answered.
A 1-yard touchdown pass from Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa to former tight end CJ Dippre gave Maryland its only lead of the game — a 13-10 advantage it carried into halftime.
In the second half, Ohio State's lead never stretched passed 14 points in the second half and the Terrapins had a chance to win the game on one final drive, but a strip sack and 1-yard fumble return for a touchdown by linebacker Steele Chambers sealed the Buckeyes' 43-30 upset escape.
Maryland is currently 122nd in the Football Bowl Subdivision and last in the Big Ten. Terrapins opponents have combined for a 7-18 record with the only FBS victories coming courtesy of Michigan State's 31-7 win against Central Michigan and Indiana's four-overtime 29-27 victory over Akron.
Ohio State will put its eight-game all-time win streak against Maryland to the test when it hosts the Terrapins on Saturday at noon. The game will be broadcast on FOX.
Maryland Terrapins
2023 Record: 5-0, 2-0 Big Ten
Head coach: Mike Locksley
Offensive Leaders:
Passing: QB Taulia Tagovailoa
2023 stats: 111-for-169, 1,464 yards, 13 touchdowns, three interceptions
Rushing: RB Roman Hemby
2023 stats: 64 carries, 309 yards, four touchdowns
Receiving: WR Jeshaun Jones
2023 stats: 19 receptions, 319 yards, 16.79 yards per catch, two touchdowns
Defensive Leaders:
Tackles: SAF Beau Brade, 26
Interceptions: CB Tarheeb Still, 3
Sacks: LB Caleb Wheatland, 2.5
