Maryland Terrapins Offensive Players To Watch vs. Ohio State
Last year, the Maryland Terrapins took the Ohio State Buckeyes down to the wire in College Park.
Their offense was 55th in total and 66th in scoring offense per game last season. Through five games, Maryland's offense has vaulted 29th and 15th in those respective offensive statistical categories this season.
Here are three offensive players to keep an eye on when Maryland makes its trip to Columbus to face the No. 4 Buckeyes Saturday.
QB Taulia Tagovailoa
Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is the conductor that chugs Maryland's train down the tracks.
He presented a problem for the Buckeyes' secondary last year, completing 26 of his 36 pass attempts for 293 yards and two touchdowns — both of which were from 1 yard out — while adding a 5-yard score on the ground.
For his efforts last season, Tagovailoa earned all-conference honors for the second consecutive season, getting named to the Big Ten's Second Team in 2022.
Tagovailoa waited his turn behind C.J. Stroud, Aidan O'Connell and Sean Clifford last season, but this year, he is playing like the Big Ten's best quarterback. Tagovailoa's 292.8 yards and 13 touchdowns lead the conference, while his 160.28 passer rating and 65.7 completion percentage are second and third, respectively.
He will get three of his top-four receivers from a season ago, but adds a few new weapons — two of whom I'll touch on in a second — via the transfer portal.
WR Kaden Prather
Wide receiver Kaden Prather came over from West Virginia and is continuing his production from his time in Morgantown.
Last season, Prather had a career-best 52 receptions, 501 yards and three touchdowns. Through his first five games with the Terrapins, he's already matched his touchdown total from 2022.
He's tied for second with 18 receptions and third with 254 receiving yards on the Terrapins, so why is he the top wide receiver to watch?
With Denzel Burke — who is one of the best cover corners in the country — likely shadowing Tai Felton and Sonny Styles and Jordan Hancock handling Jeshaun Jones in the slot, Prather has the most favorable matchups against Davison Igbinosun.
TE Corey Dyches
Last week, the Buckeyes allowed Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans to torch them for seven catches and 75 yards.
With all the receiving options Tagovailoa has to throw to, Ohio State may lose an assignment or two when it comes to defending Dyches.
Of tight ends with at least seven targets, Dyches is tied for the seventh-best tight end in the country with a 76.9 offensive grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
